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Barefoot Sleuth #2
Seashells and Murder
Ellie can't believe her luck: instead of a dreary English winter, she's enjoying an unexpected vacation in sunny Florida... and things get even more exciting when she's roped in to judge the annual Key Lime Pie Contest at her beach resort. The rivalry is fierce, the recipes are daring, but nobody expects the event to end in murder! Before long, Ellie is swapping comfy cabanas and sugar-white sand for some serious sleuthing. She soon discovers that everyone has something to hide. Are the contestants really as innocent as they say? Does the resort chef still hold a vindictive grudge? And what was the victim's wife really doing on the night of the murder?
Meanwhile, Ellie finds that there are other dangers lurking at the resort, such as being robbed at beak-point by Hemingway the parrot! Then there's her simmering chemistry with the hunky resort doctor--a distraction she doesn't need. Help comes from Mojito the resort cat, who has a nose for clues, but it turns out that this mystery has more twists than a conch shell. If Ellie doesn't solve the case soon, she's going to find that Florida's famous pie is really "to die for"...
Welcome to the deadliest beach resort in Florida - in USA Today bestselling author H.Y. Hanna's fun new mystery series!
Clean read: no graphic violence, sex, or strong language.
Genre: beach mystery, cat cozy mystery series, culinary cozy mysteries, women sleuth, amateur sleuth, humorous cozy mysteries
BAREFOOT SLEUTH COZY MYSTERIES:
Flip-Flops and Murder (Book 1)
Seashells and Murder (Book 2)
Cocktails and Murder (Book 3)
Meanwhile, Ellie finds that there are other dangers lurking at the resort, such as being robbed at beak-point by Hemingway the parrot! Then there's her simmering chemistry with the hunky resort doctor--a distraction she doesn't need. Help comes from Mojito the resort cat, who has a nose for clues, but it turns out that this mystery has more twists than a conch shell. If Ellie doesn't solve the case soon, she's going to find that Florida's famous pie is really "to die for"...
Welcome to the deadliest beach resort in Florida - in USA Today bestselling author H.Y. Hanna's fun new mystery series!
Clean read: no graphic violence, sex, or strong language.
Genre: beach mystery, cat cozy mystery series, culinary cozy mysteries, women sleuth, amateur sleuth, humorous cozy mysteries
BAREFOOT SLEUTH COZY MYSTERIES:
Flip-Flops and Murder (Book 1)
Seashells and Murder (Book 2)
Cocktails and Murder (Book 3)
235 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 28, 2020
462 people are currently reading
151 people want to read
About the author
H.Y. Hanna
67 books1,090 followersUSA Today bestselling author H.Y. Hanna has written over 30 mystery novels, many of which have been translated into several languages. Her mysteries blend humour and clever plotting with vivid settings, featuring quirky characters - and cats with big personalities! After spending years trying to fit in and do a “real” job, Hsin-Yi finally returned to her first love: writing.
Throughout her life, she has called many places home—from Taiwan to Oxford, Dubai to New Zealand. She’s finally unpacked for good in Perth, Western Australia, where she spends most days fighting with her rescue cat Muesli for the use of her office chair.
You can learn more about her and her books at: www.hyhanna.com
And don’t forget to join her newsletter to get updates on new releases, exclusive giveaways and other book news—as well as a free novella and short story! Go to: www.hyhanna.com/newsletter
Throughout her life, she has called many places home—from Taiwan to Oxford, Dubai to New Zealand. She’s finally unpacked for good in Perth, Western Australia, where she spends most days fighting with her rescue cat Muesli for the use of her office chair.
You can learn more about her and her books at: www.hyhanna.com
And don’t forget to join her newsletter to get updates on new releases, exclusive giveaways and other book news—as well as a free novella and short story! Go to: www.hyhanna.com/newsletter
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
February 9, 2023
Ellie was invited to be a second judge for the Key Lime Pie Contest at Sunset Palms Beach Resort in Florida where she was staying with her Aunt Olive. The celebrity judge was well-known but not necessarily liked, and the second award would be a surprise to the contestants. But when the judge had tasted each of the pies, not once but twice, and was about to announce the winner, he collapsed onto the pie table, dead when the resort doctor arrived. The police were determined the resort's Chef was the killer, so the manager asked Ellie to keep an eye out, listening in to the guests chatting. Would she discover who killed the celebrity judge?
Seashells & Murder is the 2nd in the Barefoot Sleuth series by Aussie author H.Y. Hanna, and I quite enjoyed it. I loved - once again - Hemingway (the parrot) and Mojito (the cat) and their constant presence among the resort guests. Hemingway was a mimic and very mischievous, while Mojito snuck into places he wasn't supposed to go. A delightful setting - the only way I'll get to Florida - Seashells & Murder is one I recommend. Looking forward to #3!
Seashells & Murder is the 2nd in the Barefoot Sleuth series by Aussie author H.Y. Hanna, and I quite enjoyed it. I loved - once again - Hemingway (the parrot) and Mojito (the cat) and their constant presence among the resort guests. Hemingway was a mimic and very mischievous, while Mojito snuck into places he wasn't supposed to go. A delightful setting - the only way I'll get to Florida - Seashells & Murder is one I recommend. Looking forward to #3!
August 23, 2023
This series has not grabbed me yet. At least not the way the Oxford Tea room Mysteries did. Maybe just lately I have read too many cosies about Bake Offs and cooking contests. I can guess already just who is going to get bumped off and that the police will be incompetent and that our dizzy young main character will solve the crime all by herself. This is the danger of reading too many cosies too close together! Never mind. I enjoy them anyway.
I did rather enjoy this book and it was probably just the recurring bake-off theme which put me off slightly. I will still look foward to book three.
I did rather enjoy this book and it was probably just the recurring bake-off theme which put me off slightly. I will still look foward to book three.
August 21, 2020
Decisions...Decisions... Spend Christmas and New Years in cold, wet, and dingy London. Or spend it with Aunt Olive at Sunset Palms Beach Resort in Tampa Bay, Florida. For Ellie Bishop, it is an simple choice, especially when the trip to Florida is all expenses paid.
Shortly after arriving, Mr. Papadopoulos, the owner of the resort, sat down with Ellie and her Aunt Olive to explain to them about the Key Lime Pie contest he was sponsoring. It would be judged by a former chef, now famous food critic, Chad Coleman. He also asked Ellie if she would be interested in being more involved in the contest by judging at a secondary contest. He is looking to get a non-American's the opinion of an American specialty.
The pies are baked and delivered for tasting. As Mr. Coleman starts tasting, he falls over and breaks the table holding the pies. Before the resort's on-site doctor, Dr. Blake Thornton, could arrive or an ambulance called, it becomes apparent that Mr. Coleman is dead. Uncertain of the cause of death, the contestants must remain available pending the autopsy results. Mr. Papadopoulos offers to let them all stay at Sunset Palms Beach Resort temporarily at no cost until the results are known.
When the autopsy results reveal that Mr. Coleman was poisoned, the contestants are shocked and concerned. The poison is readily available and without a prescription. The question becomes, how was Mr. Coleman poisoned, since the contestants were constantly monitored by the audience and all ingredients were supplied by the resort. As the pies finished baking, they were taken by employees of the resort to the tasting station.
How was Mr. Coleman poisoned? Was the poison in one of the pies? If so, how was it added? Who stood to benefit from his death? Can Ellie solve the mystery before she becomes the next victim?
H Y Hanna's books never fail to entertain. Seashells and Murder is the second in this series. She carries over her leading character while introducing others. Some are funny and fascinating, while others are wicked, romantic, or sad. Her characters are very realistic, as are the situations. She also includes cultural information to make her books more realistic. Since most of us cannot afford to travel extensively, we can enjoy the adventures through our books.
Shortly after arriving, Mr. Papadopoulos, the owner of the resort, sat down with Ellie and her Aunt Olive to explain to them about the Key Lime Pie contest he was sponsoring. It would be judged by a former chef, now famous food critic, Chad Coleman. He also asked Ellie if she would be interested in being more involved in the contest by judging at a secondary contest. He is looking to get a non-American's the opinion of an American specialty.
The pies are baked and delivered for tasting. As Mr. Coleman starts tasting, he falls over and breaks the table holding the pies. Before the resort's on-site doctor, Dr. Blake Thornton, could arrive or an ambulance called, it becomes apparent that Mr. Coleman is dead. Uncertain of the cause of death, the contestants must remain available pending the autopsy results. Mr. Papadopoulos offers to let them all stay at Sunset Palms Beach Resort temporarily at no cost until the results are known.
When the autopsy results reveal that Mr. Coleman was poisoned, the contestants are shocked and concerned. The poison is readily available and without a prescription. The question becomes, how was Mr. Coleman poisoned, since the contestants were constantly monitored by the audience and all ingredients were supplied by the resort. As the pies finished baking, they were taken by employees of the resort to the tasting station.
How was Mr. Coleman poisoned? Was the poison in one of the pies? If so, how was it added? Who stood to benefit from his death? Can Ellie solve the mystery before she becomes the next victim?
H Y Hanna's books never fail to entertain. Seashells and Murder is the second in this series. She carries over her leading character while introducing others. Some are funny and fascinating, while others are wicked, romantic, or sad. Her characters are very realistic, as are the situations. She also includes cultural information to make her books more realistic. Since most of us cannot afford to travel extensively, we can enjoy the adventures through our books.
August 22, 2020
I received a free copy of this book from the author and voluntarily reviewed it.
After reading book 1 I was excited to see where this series goes next. Seashells and Murder is a great sequel. We see more of Ellie and she has another murder mystery to solve at this Florida beach resort where she's staying for a long vacation. This was a fun read and I liked the mystery.
When Ellie is asked to judge a key lime pie competition she doesn't expect to get involved into another murder mystery, but that's exactly what happens. When the celebrity judge dies because of poison the main suspect is the chef of the resort. The two disliked each other due to an event in their past. The resort manager knows his chef is innocent and asks Ellie to help. Ellie is happy to help and dives into another mystery.
I liked this mystery as there were plenty of suspects. Not only do we have to wonder if the chef really is innocent or not, but all the members of the contest might have had a chance to put poison in their pie or maybe someone had access to the pies before the judging? Everyone seems to have a motive or is acting secretive. And I enjoyed following Ellie as she tries to figure out who is innocent and who is the murderer. I liked the twists and turns and finding out what everyone was hiding or what explained their suspicious behavior. I liked the reveal of who the murderer was, it made sense when everything fell on it's place.
Besides the mystery there are some other interesting developments and Ellie spends some time with her aunt as well as the hot resort doctor. There are also some fun scenes with the resort pets a parrot who repeats things and a sneaky cat. I liked how both pets played a role in Ellie search for answers and how they "helped" with the mystery. The resort setting is a fun setting for a cozy mystery and I liked the baking/ competition theme for this book.
To summarize: this was a solid cozy mystery read and I had fun reading it. The mystery was a good one with plenty of suspects and secrets. I liked following Ellie as she tries to figure out who is innocent and who is the murderer and what everyone is hiding. I liked the reveal of the murderer and how it made sense looking back. The resort makes for a fun setting. And I liked the two resort pets, a parrot and a cat, who both play a role in solving the mystery. There also is a hint of romance with the resort doctor. And it was nice to see a bit more of Ellie's aunt in this book.
After reading book 1 I was excited to see where this series goes next. Seashells and Murder is a great sequel. We see more of Ellie and she has another murder mystery to solve at this Florida beach resort where she's staying for a long vacation. This was a fun read and I liked the mystery.
When Ellie is asked to judge a key lime pie competition she doesn't expect to get involved into another murder mystery, but that's exactly what happens. When the celebrity judge dies because of poison the main suspect is the chef of the resort. The two disliked each other due to an event in their past. The resort manager knows his chef is innocent and asks Ellie to help. Ellie is happy to help and dives into another mystery.
I liked this mystery as there were plenty of suspects. Not only do we have to wonder if the chef really is innocent or not, but all the members of the contest might have had a chance to put poison in their pie or maybe someone had access to the pies before the judging? Everyone seems to have a motive or is acting secretive. And I enjoyed following Ellie as she tries to figure out who is innocent and who is the murderer. I liked the twists and turns and finding out what everyone was hiding or what explained their suspicious behavior. I liked the reveal of who the murderer was, it made sense when everything fell on it's place.
Besides the mystery there are some other interesting developments and Ellie spends some time with her aunt as well as the hot resort doctor. There are also some fun scenes with the resort pets a parrot who repeats things and a sneaky cat. I liked how both pets played a role in Ellie search for answers and how they "helped" with the mystery. The resort setting is a fun setting for a cozy mystery and I liked the baking/ competition theme for this book.
To summarize: this was a solid cozy mystery read and I had fun reading it. The mystery was a good one with plenty of suspects and secrets. I liked following Ellie as she tries to figure out who is innocent and who is the murderer and what everyone is hiding. I liked the reveal of the murderer and how it made sense looking back. The resort makes for a fun setting. And I liked the two resort pets, a parrot and a cat, who both play a role in solving the mystery. There also is a hint of romance with the resort doctor. And it was nice to see a bit more of Ellie's aunt in this book.
August 28, 2020
SEASHELLS AND MURDER, the second book in the Barefoot Sleuth Cozy Mystery Series, is light, breezy summer reading.
Ellie, who is spending the Christmas holiday with her Aunt Olive at the Sunset Palms Beach Resort in Florida, finds herself once again donning her investigator hat to identify the killer of celebrity food critic Chad Coleman. The resort is holding its annual Key lime pie bakeoff and has brought in Coleman to judge, but when he keels over during the taste test judging it quickly become apparent that he is the victim of foul play. Could the killer be the resort’s disgruntled chef? One of the contestants? His wife? Or someone else entirely?
Author H.Y. Hanna’s books are always entertaining, and SEASHELLS AND MURDER is no exception. Ellie is settling into her role as sleuth (thank goodness she is not overtly lying in this installment as she did in Book 1 FLIP-FLOPS AND MURDER). The characters are diverse and interesting, but I still wish Aunt Olive was more involved in the mystery. My favorite characters are Hemmingway the parrot and Mojito the resort cat. They provide most of the story’s humor, and, of course, play a part in saving the day. With enough suspects and clues, it kept me guessing whodunit until late in the book. There is the merest hint of romance between Ellie and resort doctor Bruce.
I enjoyed SEASHELLS AND MURDER. Its shorter than average length, bright setting, and fluffy mystery make it just the kind of book I want to read in our current 2020 turbulent climate. Recommended.
I received a copy of this book from the author and voluntarily shared my thoughts here.
Ellie, who is spending the Christmas holiday with her Aunt Olive at the Sunset Palms Beach Resort in Florida, finds herself once again donning her investigator hat to identify the killer of celebrity food critic Chad Coleman. The resort is holding its annual Key lime pie bakeoff and has brought in Coleman to judge, but when he keels over during the taste test judging it quickly become apparent that he is the victim of foul play. Could the killer be the resort’s disgruntled chef? One of the contestants? His wife? Or someone else entirely?
Author H.Y. Hanna’s books are always entertaining, and SEASHELLS AND MURDER is no exception. Ellie is settling into her role as sleuth (thank goodness she is not overtly lying in this installment as she did in Book 1 FLIP-FLOPS AND MURDER). The characters are diverse and interesting, but I still wish Aunt Olive was more involved in the mystery. My favorite characters are Hemmingway the parrot and Mojito the resort cat. They provide most of the story’s humor, and, of course, play a part in saving the day. With enough suspects and clues, it kept me guessing whodunit until late in the book. There is the merest hint of romance between Ellie and resort doctor Bruce.
I enjoyed SEASHELLS AND MURDER. Its shorter than average length, bright setting, and fluffy mystery make it just the kind of book I want to read in our current 2020 turbulent climate. Recommended.
I received a copy of this book from the author and voluntarily shared my thoughts here.
October 2, 2023
Seashells and Murder by H.Y. Hanna is the 3rd book in the Barefoot Sleuth Mystery series. Ellie is continuing to enjoy her stay at a Florida Resort with her mystery author aunt and is roped in to be a guest judge at the Key Lime Pie Contest. When one of the other judges is poisoned with one of the pies, the resort owner asks her to help find the culprit. An entertaining, relaxing beach read. It was fun to follow along with Ellie's discoveries and to see her holiday romance develop. I loved the resort setting, the descriptions of which make you feel as if you are there. I loved the various delicious sounding local food descriptions. An enjoyable cozy mystery that will put you in the holiday mood.
September 2, 2020
Seashells and Murder earns 5+/5 Key Lime Pie Bites...Engaging Delight!
H.Y. Hanna has penned a delicious cozy mystery set on the coast of Florida with intrigue, surprises, close calls, and in this second book...delicious Key Lime Pie! Shady Pines Resort is hosting their own version of the Great British Baking Show competition to highlight Florida’s iconic dessert...Key Lime Pie. The five competitors vary in age, background, temperament, and experience. It is quite a culinary coup to get former TV chef, now food critic, Chad Coleman to agree to judge, and since Ellie has made a name for herself with her last success uncovering a murderous resort guest, she’s been asked by the resort owner to act as a judge in a runner-up contest...delicious, she thinks! But, possible sabotage is the least of the competitor’s antics. During round one’s tasting, Coleman keels over, crashes onto the table of pies...dead! But, the “how” is just as curious as the “why,” and Ellie is prepared to uncover both!
H.Y. Hanna’s mystery challenged my inner Sherlock having so many with opportunity and means to “do in” the judge, but the motive was slowly leaked with twists, misdirection, and connections keeping me totally engaged. I admit I was tempted to leap to the end, but the lead up and the predicaments in which Ellie found herself were too compelling to pass up. There’s the “romance” dance between Ellie and the hunky doc to also keep me reading. H.Y. Hanna’s writing style has always been the reason I’m a big fan. She uses descriptive language to create delicious pictures of the resort, the beach, and the characters, but she doesn’t rely just on the third-person narrative. Her dialogue is fun, informative, and best suits the different personalities. Aunt Olive is a favorite character illustrating the adage “you’re never too old,” but I really like following Ellie. Hanna always creates realistic lead characters in her work: strong, self-sufficient, clever but struggling with confidence and often in the romance department, too. Animal lovers will be delighted with the two supporting characters in a somewhat devilish macaw and “lucky to be around” black cat.
Disclosure: I received an ARC from the author. My review is voluntary with honest insights and comments.
H.Y. Hanna has penned a delicious cozy mystery set on the coast of Florida with intrigue, surprises, close calls, and in this second book...delicious Key Lime Pie! Shady Pines Resort is hosting their own version of the Great British Baking Show competition to highlight Florida’s iconic dessert...Key Lime Pie. The five competitors vary in age, background, temperament, and experience. It is quite a culinary coup to get former TV chef, now food critic, Chad Coleman to agree to judge, and since Ellie has made a name for herself with her last success uncovering a murderous resort guest, she’s been asked by the resort owner to act as a judge in a runner-up contest...delicious, she thinks! But, possible sabotage is the least of the competitor’s antics. During round one’s tasting, Coleman keels over, crashes onto the table of pies...dead! But, the “how” is just as curious as the “why,” and Ellie is prepared to uncover both!
H.Y. Hanna’s mystery challenged my inner Sherlock having so many with opportunity and means to “do in” the judge, but the motive was slowly leaked with twists, misdirection, and connections keeping me totally engaged. I admit I was tempted to leap to the end, but the lead up and the predicaments in which Ellie found herself were too compelling to pass up. There’s the “romance” dance between Ellie and the hunky doc to also keep me reading. H.Y. Hanna’s writing style has always been the reason I’m a big fan. She uses descriptive language to create delicious pictures of the resort, the beach, and the characters, but she doesn’t rely just on the third-person narrative. Her dialogue is fun, informative, and best suits the different personalities. Aunt Olive is a favorite character illustrating the adage “you’re never too old,” but I really like following Ellie. Hanna always creates realistic lead characters in her work: strong, self-sufficient, clever but struggling with confidence and often in the romance department, too. Animal lovers will be delighted with the two supporting characters in a somewhat devilish macaw and “lucky to be around” black cat.
Disclosure: I received an ARC from the author. My review is voluntary with honest insights and comments.
November 8, 2020
Looking forward to the 3rd book in the series
April 10, 2021
Cute story
Really enjoying Ellies adventure at the resort. The parrot actually made me laugh out loud. Can't wait to finish this series
Really enjoying Ellies adventure at the resort. The parrot actually made me laugh out loud. Can't wait to finish this series
October 28, 2024
Still getting used to this one but it is a fun cozy mystery!! I don't love it as much as the Oxford tearoom mysteries but I'm sure it will grow on me!
September 10, 2020
The second book in the series was even better than the first.
I love the characters of Ellie and her Aunt. Hemingway and Mojito are great fun as well.
The whodunit was interesting and kept me guessing.
I certainly hope to read more of Ellie's adventures in Florida!
I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.
I love the characters of Ellie and her Aunt. Hemingway and Mojito are great fun as well.
The whodunit was interesting and kept me guessing.
I certainly hope to read more of Ellie's adventures in Florida!
I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.
March 29, 2024
Fun Cozy Mystery
I really enjoyed this second installment of the series. I like the twist with the key lime contest. It has been a good escape read.
I really enjoyed this second installment of the series. I like the twist with the key lime contest. It has been a good escape read.
August 14, 2020
I enjoyed this book. This is book two in the series but you don't need to have read the first book to enjoy this one but I have enjoyed both books. So why not start with book one. I like the main characters but it is the antics of the animals that really make the book funny, who knew a talking parrot could cause so much trouble. I did think the aunt being a mystery writer would have got more involved with helping to solve the mystery. The mystery was good with enough suspects to keep you guessing but not to many that you got confused who everybody was, I had guessed at the killer but wasn't sure. I liked the plot idea but did think the author would have included a recipe to make a key lime pie, as it features so prominently in the book and it sound yummy. The author does a good writing the story and you have no problem imaging the sun beating down on your face. Can't wait for the next book.
Ellie is still enjoying her Christmas vacation with her aunt and is excited to find out the resort is holding a cooking competition. Six people have made it to the final and now every one has to bake a key lime pie for a celebrity chief and food critic to judge. Never having had a key lime pie before Ellie is eager to try one that is until the judge collapses in the pies and dies. The policeare quick to rule out a heart attack and narrow in on a poison in one of the pies. The owner of the resort is worried that his head chief, who lost a business while working with the dead man, will be blamed and knowing Ellie solved the last murder at the resort he asks her to look into it. Was it one of the competitors? And if so when did they have the opportunity to do it with the tv cameras on them the whole time they were baking? Ellie gets some help from the resort's pets, a mischievous parrot and a sneaky cat as she tries to work out how the poison was administered and who done it.
Ellie is still enjoying her Christmas vacation with her aunt and is excited to find out the resort is holding a cooking competition. Six people have made it to the final and now every one has to bake a key lime pie for a celebrity chief and food critic to judge. Never having had a key lime pie before Ellie is eager to try one that is until the judge collapses in the pies and dies. The policeare quick to rule out a heart attack and narrow in on a poison in one of the pies. The owner of the resort is worried that his head chief, who lost a business while working with the dead man, will be blamed and knowing Ellie solved the last murder at the resort he asks her to look into it. Was it one of the competitors? And if so when did they have the opportunity to do it with the tv cameras on them the whole time they were baking? Ellie gets some help from the resort's pets, a mischievous parrot and a sneaky cat as she tries to work out how the poison was administered and who done it.
August 17, 2020
Ellie is visiting her author Aunt in Florida for a vacation from her home in London. Somehow, the resort's resident parrot Hemingway and the resident cat Mojito have taken to her. The are a fun part of the storyline. When the annual Key Lime Contest is being held at the resort, Ellie is asked to be the "consolation" judge. The famous tv food critic is the main judge and when he is murdered, the resort owner asks Ellie to investigate the murder even though she really isn't a sleuth. With lots of problems, suspects and motives, Ellie keeps hitting a brick wall. The author takes us into so many red-herrings, mis-clues, twists and turns that you are surprised by the ending. As a sub-theme, we see the resort doctor, Blake and Ellie attraced to each other but afraid to take the next step. This is a fun series and I can't wait to see what happens with Blake and Ellie and see what is in store for Ellie next. I received and ARC from the author, but the opinons expressed here are strictly my own.
August 22, 2020
Seashells and Murder is the second installment in Barefoot Sleuth Cozy Mystery series and another fun adventure for our heroine.
Ellie is still in Florida enjoying herself immensely and living the life. She is asked to be the unofficial judge in Key Lime pie contest which she gladly accepts. However, things do not go as planned as the main judge ends up with his face in the pie.
As she had already successfully solved one mystery, Ellie is asked by the owner of the resort to talk to the possible suspects and see if she can find out the truth. Her aunt urges her to accept and even offers her help.
This is a short and fun series, set in a beautiful place with likable characters and engaging story.
Mysteries are well presented and it is easy to follow the clues and try to solve the mystery along with the main protagonist.
The setting is so well described that you can feel the sun of your face and hear the ocean.
There is also a possible romance angle which I am eager to see played out.
Ellie is still in Florida enjoying herself immensely and living the life. She is asked to be the unofficial judge in Key Lime pie contest which she gladly accepts. However, things do not go as planned as the main judge ends up with his face in the pie.
As she had already successfully solved one mystery, Ellie is asked by the owner of the resort to talk to the possible suspects and see if she can find out the truth. Her aunt urges her to accept and even offers her help.
This is a short and fun series, set in a beautiful place with likable characters and engaging story.
Mysteries are well presented and it is easy to follow the clues and try to solve the mystery along with the main protagonist.
The setting is so well described that you can feel the sun of your face and hear the ocean.
There is also a possible romance angle which I am eager to see played out.
August 18, 2020
This is the second book in the "Barefoot Sleuth" cozy mystery series. Ellie is on vacation in an all inclusive resort in Tampa, Florida, courtesy of her rich Aunt Olive. The resort holds a Key Lime Pie Baking Contest each year, and this year celebrity chef and food critic Chad Coleman will be judging the contest. Ellie has been recruited to judge a follow-up contest to choose the second best (runner-up) winning pie. But before Chad Coleman could pronounce the winner, he keels over and dies, toppling all the pies, and ending the contest in tragedy. How did Chad Coleman die? Was it poison? And if it was, then who poisoned him? The police's main suspect is the resort's in-house head chef Remy Marcel, because he's had a running feud with Chad Coleman for many years. But there are other guests at the resort, including the pie baking contestants, who have a motive to kill Chad Coleman. And they are all not what they seem...
February 11, 2021
Fancy a bit of sunshine in a middle of a chilly winter ? I did and this second installment of the barefoot sleuth mysteries got me in a warm and cheerful.
Ellie, the nice, young but nosy british main character of this mini series is still enjoying her winter break with eccentric aunt Olive in a luxury Florida resort. The place would be paradise if visitors didn’t have a tendency to end up murdered. This time, Ellie’s sleuthing is encouraged by the resort’s boss. But being emboldened can welcome danger into one’s path...
Not only does this book reminded me of sweet and balmy Florida’s atmosphere, but it is is sooo funny. Different from the Oxford tea room mysteries I love so much, but the author’s witty’s quill and talent for making the reader feel like he/she is sashaying between palm trees, before sipping a cocktail by the giant pool, is worth the read by itself. The parrot is hilarious.
I’m looking forward to more outrageous aunt Olive’s behavious in the next books.
Ellie, the nice, young but nosy british main character of this mini series is still enjoying her winter break with eccentric aunt Olive in a luxury Florida resort. The place would be paradise if visitors didn’t have a tendency to end up murdered. This time, Ellie’s sleuthing is encouraged by the resort’s boss. But being emboldened can welcome danger into one’s path...
Not only does this book reminded me of sweet and balmy Florida’s atmosphere, but it is is sooo funny. Different from the Oxford tea room mysteries I love so much, but the author’s witty’s quill and talent for making the reader feel like he/she is sashaying between palm trees, before sipping a cocktail by the giant pool, is worth the read by itself. The parrot is hilarious.
I’m looking forward to more outrageous aunt Olive’s behavious in the next books.
September 12, 2020
In Book 1, Ellie, the protagonist, had left cold-weather London for an all-expenses-paid stay with her fun-loving widowed aunt who was registered at a holiday resort in warm, sunny Florida for a writer's convention, but had become a reluctant sleuth to solve a disappearance and then a murder after arriving there. Now, in Book 2, she is looking forward to experiencing and enjoying Floridian and American culture and cuisine as a tourist. While forging new friendships and getting acquainted with unfamiliar but delicious cuisine, she is extended an opportunity to oversee and taste-test entries in the resort's annual key lime pie bake-off once the celebrity food critic has declared his trophy-worthy choice. But things go horribly wrong just moments before he can announce a winner . . . and once again Ellie is playing the sleuth, along with the resort's resident macaw and cat, trying to make sense of what has happened and why it has happened. She endures some harrowing experiences before solving the mysteries.
August 14, 2020
The second in the new Barefoot cozy mystery series by H Y Hanna and I can honestly say these are a joy to read. A great storyline running through the series and great characters, especially Mojito the resort cat, and Hemingway, the resort Macaw. Both of which are naughty and seem to want to help and hinder in equal measure!
There is a Key Lime Pie competition and Ellie is asked to be a guest judge. Not wanting to give anything away, things do not go exactly as they should....
I love how the characters are developing. These books are a great holiday read, they are reasonably short, which means there is no long diatribe, which so many books suffer from these days... Top of my new favourites and can't wait for the next in the series.
Highly recommended.
There is a Key Lime Pie competition and Ellie is asked to be a guest judge. Not wanting to give anything away, things do not go exactly as they should....
I love how the characters are developing. These books are a great holiday read, they are reasonably short, which means there is no long diatribe, which so many books suffer from these days... Top of my new favourites and can't wait for the next in the series.
Highly recommended.
August 16, 2020
What a fun second addition to the Barefoot Sleuth series! It kept me entertained all the way - and I felt like being on vacation myself 😊 The plot is neatly constructed (I totally didn‘t see this book‘s murderer coming), and Ellie hopefully will continue to strengthen her sleuthing muscle in the books to come (she sometimes seems to be overly zealous to solve the murder, and gets carried away when trying to establish a motive for the respective suspect). I‘m also looking forward to seeing more of Ellie‘s vacation romance, which is progressing nicely - and I‘d be super stoked if they really teamed up to solve a future murder together!
Reading highly recommended!!
Disclosure: A review copy of this book was sent to me by the author. All of the above opinions are my own.
Reading highly recommended!!
Disclosure: A review copy of this book was sent to me by the author. All of the above opinions are my own.
August 14, 2020
I am thoroughly enjoying this new series of books from H.Y.Hanna, Seashells and Murder is the second book in the series.
As always H.Y. Hanna doesn’t disappoint, the plot moves along at a good pace, lots of red herrings, I really enjoyed the development of the characters, finding out a bit more about Aunt Olive and the Handsome resort Doctor. When Ellie is asked to do some amateur sleuthing she sets to with the help of Hemingway the parrot and Mojito the cat.
This is an ideal read if you want something without a lot of violence, great humour and a classic who-dun-it plot.
I look forward to reading the third book in the series.
As always H.Y. Hanna doesn’t disappoint, the plot moves along at a good pace, lots of red herrings, I really enjoyed the development of the characters, finding out a bit more about Aunt Olive and the Handsome resort Doctor. When Ellie is asked to do some amateur sleuthing she sets to with the help of Hemingway the parrot and Mojito the cat.
This is an ideal read if you want something without a lot of violence, great humour and a classic who-dun-it plot.
I look forward to reading the third book in the series.
August 30, 2020
I get a little jealous when reading this series. Ellie is having a great time in Florida, sampling new foods, spending time at the pool and beach, meeting new people, and solving another murder. Maybe I will skip the murder part, but I would love to visit the resort she is staying at.
Ellie finds herself caught up in another murder when she is asked to be a second judge in a Key Lime Pie contest. She soon finds herself going around the resort trying to find out who had a reason to kill the main judge. I loved the scene where Mojito helped her figure out how to get in the kitchen and of course Hemingway plays a big part too. Looking forward to book three.
Ellie finds herself caught up in another murder when she is asked to be a second judge in a Key Lime Pie contest. She soon finds herself going around the resort trying to find out who had a reason to kill the main judge. I loved the scene where Mojito helped her figure out how to get in the kitchen and of course Hemingway plays a big part too. Looking forward to book three.
September 6, 2020
Again, another delightful fun mystery to continue the vacation of Ellie as she spends her winter holidays in Florida instead of dreary London. She is at a resort with her adventurous Aunt and so each murder happens right at the resort. She is able to question the suspects poolside and stumble onto the murder while getting dressed for dinner or sitting at the bar... there of course is also a love interest, though she does not want to get involved with a short holiday romance...
Fun, light and entertaining read for an afternoon.
Fun, light and entertaining read for an afternoon.
June 3, 2021
Love this series! Never disappoints!
H. Y. Hanna is a phenomenal author! I'm reading
4 series that she writes and each one is so
fantastic that I've become addicted to them. They
have a lot of what I totally enjoy in a book -- humour,
drama, some romance and - for me - cats and birds.
This mystery started out grabbing my attention and
that is a big must in a book. If it takes too long to
grab my attention I lose interest real fast. H. Y. Hanna
never disappoints me. Her mysteries are phenomenal
from beginning to end. I truly hope this series will be
longer than 4 books!!!!!!
H. Y. Hanna is a phenomenal author! I'm reading
4 series that she writes and each one is so
fantastic that I've become addicted to them. They
have a lot of what I totally enjoy in a book -- humour,
drama, some romance and - for me - cats and birds.
This mystery started out grabbing my attention and
that is a big must in a book. If it takes too long to
grab my attention I lose interest real fast. H. Y. Hanna
never disappoints me. Her mysteries are phenomenal
from beginning to end. I truly hope this series will be
longer than 4 books!!!!!!
September 24, 2020
Some Cute Moments
This was a fun and enjoyable cozy. The resort cat and Hemingway the parrot are a riot. There is some budding romance and the murder was solved and I never guessed the culprit. Some good red herrings thrown out there, some exciting moments which were well written to build excitement and some anxiety for the reader over the predicaments of Ellie, the main character. I look forward to story #3.
This was a fun and enjoyable cozy. The resort cat and Hemingway the parrot are a riot. There is some budding romance and the murder was solved and I never guessed the culprit. Some good red herrings thrown out there, some exciting moments which were well written to build excitement and some anxiety for the reader over the predicaments of Ellie, the main character. I look forward to story #3.
May 15, 2021
Hemingway to the rescue.
Ellie is asked to judge the key lime pie contest for second place. Everyone watchs the pies being made then comes the taste test. Cole tastes all the pies then keels over onto the table dead destroying the pies. He was murdered and the owner asks Ellie to help find out who the killer is. She gets help from Hemingway and Mojito. Good story, enjoying the series.
Ellie is asked to judge the key lime pie contest for second place. Everyone watchs the pies being made then comes the taste test. Cole tastes all the pies then keels over onto the table dead destroying the pies. He was murdered and the owner asks Ellie to help find out who the killer is. She gets help from Hemingway and Mojito. Good story, enjoying the series.
May 8, 2022
3.5 stars. While the first book grabbed me much easier, this time around everything seemed obvious. The action picked up quickly, but all of the plot twists did not seem very twisty to me, and rather contrived. However, the mystery kept me engrossed, and the final reveal was at the perfect time and very well masked. The climax was a blast, but also a little obvious, and the resolution could have included one or two more things to make it sweeter.
February 3, 2023
The same complaints I had with the first book I have with this one. The author over explains every red herring and clue to the point that I as a reader feel like she thinks I’m an idiot. Her plots are rather clever but so easy to figure out because she spells out the mystery. Her writing would be elevated considerably if she gave us the benefit of the doubt and left a bit of nuance. However, it’s still very cute, and a nice distraction, so I’ll finish the series!
October 23, 2024
Author’s Note: The popular UK TV show: “The Great British Bake-Off” is known by a different name in America. It had its name changed to “The Great British Baking Show”. Since this book is following American English and is primarily set in the U.S., I have decided to use the American name of the show in this story.
Reviewer's Note: Although minimal, common expressions of swear words are used in dialogue; accordingly, this title cannot be designated a "clean cozy."
Reviewer's Note: Although minimal, common expressions of swear words are used in dialogue; accordingly, this title cannot be designated a "clean cozy."
November 18, 2025
It’s so cute how Ellie and Blake were getting a little closer and Hemingway the resort parrot kept interrupting some um, key moments for them, lol. But that parrot was a good friend to have as Ellie found out during the showdown. She’d also been smart to remember something the parrot liked too. I sure hadn’t guessed the perp in this book, but neither had Aunt Olive and she’s a mystery writer. I’ll be borrowing the next book soon.
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