What do you think?
Rate this book
Beaver Island #3
High and Dry
A Gothic country manor, a doomed wedding, and a cowlicked criminal...After a local couple's path to the altar is sabotaged, retired spy Irma Abercrombie and sun-deprived nerd Violet Blackheart get roped into lending a hand sorting out the duo's wedding woes—and all the bodies.
Meanwhile, Violet preps for her business partner's island arrival—blender drinks at the ready—as Irma secretly tries to track down Violet's former CFO...and their company's former money. Along the way, Irma decides to mix business with pleasure, but struggles to sort out the rules for septuagenarian singletons who can dispatch bad guys with a handful of Tinker Toys, and are looking for a bit of romance in their downtime.
With her trusty telescoping mirror and adorable (if untrainable) canine companion Mr. P, and nerdy sidekick Violet Blackheart, Irma sets out to save a wedding, retrieve Violet's fortune, and find a killer.
Meanwhile, Violet preps for her business partner's island arrival—blender drinks at the ready—as Irma secretly tries to track down Violet's former CFO...and their company's former money. Along the way, Irma decides to mix business with pleasure, but struggles to sort out the rules for septuagenarian singletons who can dispatch bad guys with a handful of Tinker Toys, and are looking for a bit of romance in their downtime.
With her trusty telescoping mirror and adorable (if untrainable) canine companion Mr. P, and nerdy sidekick Violet Blackheart, Irma sets out to save a wedding, retrieve Violet's fortune, and find a killer.
- GenresMysteryCozy Mystery
410 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 1, 2022
273 people are currently reading
41 people want to read
About the author
Maia Ross
17 books81 followersMaia Ross is the author of the Beaver Island mystery series, featuring retired spy Irma Abercrombie and couch-locked nerd Violet Blackheart, along with the spin-off series, Irma Saves Christmas, and the Beaver Island prequel novelette, Irmageddon.
Maia spent almost twenty years in the tech sector and is an avid sailor. She makes her home in Toronto with her better half, John.
To be notified about new releases and giveaways, and receive a free copy of Irmageddon, please sign up for Maia's monthly newsletter at https://www.maiarossbooks.com.
Maia spent almost twenty years in the tech sector and is an avid sailor. She makes her home in Toronto with her better half, John.
To be notified about new releases and giveaways, and receive a free copy of Irmageddon, please sign up for Maia's monthly newsletter at https://www.maiarossbooks.com.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
January 26, 2026
It’s nearing the end of the summer, and Violet will be heading back to Toronto soon. Irma is determined to make the most of Violet’s remaining days, with lots of time outside. All is going splendidly until Stu, Violet, and Irma discover a body floating in the water.
High and Dry is the third tale in the Beaver Island Mysteries. Someone is trying to sabotage the wedding of local socialites, so they bring in Irma and Violet to put an end to the shenanigans. The mystery was well-written and planned out. I was constantly shifting my guess as to what was happening and whodunit. I absolutely loved this one. In addition to the wedding mystery, Irma pursues justice for Violet and Max by tracking down their former business partner, Shane. It played out well, and it is very satisfying to have that three-book arc close.
Mostly, I love how Irma and Violet have grown close. I love how each is changing slightly, picking up outlooks and habits from one another. Irma is a wonderful surrogate mother/aunt while Violet is like the child Irma never had. They genuinely care about one another and have gone from acquaintances to family over the course of the month since Violet arrived. Since it was supposed to be the end of Violet’s vacation, things started to wrap up, but lucky for listeners, the series will continue as Violet plans to stay on Beaver Island.
Narration:
Balm: Using a slight British accent, Balm narrates Irma’s first person POV with a deepish and slightly raspy voice fitting for the ex-spy. Balm adjusts the dialogue for most characters, albeit just enough to know different characters are speaking. She tends to be a little higher pitched for females, and softer and lower for males. She adjusts appropriately for mood and emotion. As I’ve mentioned in my previous reviews, I really enjoy her voice for Irma, but I do not like her voice for Violet. While it can come off young and whiny, it’s starting to grow on me. I think because I was more engaged in the story so I could overlook the familiar annoyance. Balm also seems to struggle with the other younger characters and those with straight Canadian/American accents.
Burchard: Burchard uses an upbeat, energetic voice for the first person POV of Violet. The “non-accented” voice is fitting for 40-something, workaholic Violet. Burchard also does a lovely British accent for Irma. Burchard successfully alters dialogue for gender, age, and ethnicity, making each character unique enough to distinguish from one another.
In the end, I am enjoying the deepening friendship between retired spy Irma and techno-nerd Violet. I like how they balance one another as they solve mysteries.
My Ratings:
Story: A
Narration:
Balm: B-
Burchard: B+
Originally posted on That's What I'm Talking About
Review copy provided by the publisher
High and Dry is the third tale in the Beaver Island Mysteries. Someone is trying to sabotage the wedding of local socialites, so they bring in Irma and Violet to put an end to the shenanigans. The mystery was well-written and planned out. I was constantly shifting my guess as to what was happening and whodunit. I absolutely loved this one. In addition to the wedding mystery, Irma pursues justice for Violet and Max by tracking down their former business partner, Shane. It played out well, and it is very satisfying to have that three-book arc close.
Mostly, I love how Irma and Violet have grown close. I love how each is changing slightly, picking up outlooks and habits from one another. Irma is a wonderful surrogate mother/aunt while Violet is like the child Irma never had. They genuinely care about one another and have gone from acquaintances to family over the course of the month since Violet arrived. Since it was supposed to be the end of Violet’s vacation, things started to wrap up, but lucky for listeners, the series will continue as Violet plans to stay on Beaver Island.
Narration:
Balm: Using a slight British accent, Balm narrates Irma’s first person POV with a deepish and slightly raspy voice fitting for the ex-spy. Balm adjusts the dialogue for most characters, albeit just enough to know different characters are speaking. She tends to be a little higher pitched for females, and softer and lower for males. She adjusts appropriately for mood and emotion. As I’ve mentioned in my previous reviews, I really enjoy her voice for Irma, but I do not like her voice for Violet. While it can come off young and whiny, it’s starting to grow on me. I think because I was more engaged in the story so I could overlook the familiar annoyance. Balm also seems to struggle with the other younger characters and those with straight Canadian/American accents.
Burchard: Burchard uses an upbeat, energetic voice for the first person POV of Violet. The “non-accented” voice is fitting for 40-something, workaholic Violet. Burchard also does a lovely British accent for Irma. Burchard successfully alters dialogue for gender, age, and ethnicity, making each character unique enough to distinguish from one another.
In the end, I am enjoying the deepening friendship between retired spy Irma and techno-nerd Violet. I like how they balance one another as they solve mysteries.
My Ratings:
Story: A
Narration:
Balm: B-
Burchard: B+
Originally posted on That's What I'm Talking About
Review copy provided by the publisher
January 11, 2022
I want to be Irma Abercrombie when I grow up! A retired spy who makes 007 look like a beginner, Irma has a good heart and knows how to kill you with a pen. When she meets Violet Blackheart, a 40 year old techie who had her company's funds stolen by a corrupt business partner, criminals on Beaver Island beware! This adventure finds Irma and Violet trying to find a killer before they stop a wedding...permanently.
Irma is likable because she's a 70 year old woman who, to stay alive, had to keep her real self and feelings hidden and now, she's finding another life where quirky friends and a possible love interest in a retired spy who was on the opposite side are her "new normal". Violet hates the outdoors and would rather work on her computer than interact with people. Somehow, these two make a sleuthing team I love! There's mystery, humor a little romance and a lot of fun! Oh, and there's an adorable crime solver, a lovable pug named Mr. P.!
You could read this as a standalone,but to experience the fun of Irma and Violet (and Mr. P.), start at the beginning of the series and get ready for mysteries that will keep you guessing, with humor and two characters you'll love!
Irma is likable because she's a 70 year old woman who, to stay alive, had to keep her real self and feelings hidden and now, she's finding another life where quirky friends and a possible love interest in a retired spy who was on the opposite side are her "new normal". Violet hates the outdoors and would rather work on her computer than interact with people. Somehow, these two make a sleuthing team I love! There's mystery, humor a little romance and a lot of fun! Oh, and there's an adorable crime solver, a lovable pug named Mr. P.!
You could read this as a standalone,but to experience the fun of Irma and Violet (and Mr. P.), start at the beginning of the series and get ready for mysteries that will keep you guessing, with humor and two characters you'll love!
January 3, 2022
I just can't say enough about this series. The characters are just fantastic and each book leaves me with such a nice, warm feeling. Irma is as hilarious as ever and we get to learn more about Violet's business partners in this one. Can't wait to read more!
February 2, 2022
I went looking for a really entertaining novel - and found this! Well, I had read the previous two and knew this was a good bet. It has a rich variety of characters; it has mounting tension when a young couple repeatedly try to get married and I worried about whether they would make it. I loved the humour which at times was laugh-out-loud.
January 22, 2022
So much fun and laugh-out-loud writing. Not to mention adventure and a great mystery. So enjoying this series.
May 3, 2022
Each one is better Han the last and I still think Helen Mirran would be the perfect Irma Abercrombie!
February 21, 2025
A fun filled read
This is the third Beaver Island Mystery I've read - in a little less than a week. And I seem to become even more enchanted with this little Island community with each book.
With every book the author has revealed a little more of each characters inner workings, growing who they are, drawing you in.
I love that this is a unique set of characters, unlike what I've seem in other cozies. I'll be honest, as much of a cozy addict as I am, and I most definitely am, the overall character types and settings can become extremely redundant. The freshness of these characters is like opening a window on the first day of spring.
Irma and Violet, about as unlikely a combination as you could imagine, blend together beautifully as " "partners in crime". And let's not forget the great cast of supporting characters... Boris, Camille, Snookie, Mrs. Sepp, Mr. P, The Pickle and now Max. All of their personalities come alive and add wonderful flavor to the stories. Frankly, how can you not love a book with such a loveable dog as Mr. P in the story!
But, what is a book without a great story line? Maia Ross has not failed yet. Each book has grabbed your attention from the first and kept it to the last. The stories are well written, well thought out, intriguing and lots of fun! And as someone who frustrates her husband by knowing the killer within the first 5 min., I applaud her ability to trip me up. 😊 She keeps you guessing with many twists and unexpected turns.
You will not regret picking up one of Ms. Ross' books.
A wonderful read. Looking forward to the next installment!
This is the third Beaver Island Mystery I've read - in a little less than a week. And I seem to become even more enchanted with this little Island community with each book.
With every book the author has revealed a little more of each characters inner workings, growing who they are, drawing you in.
I love that this is a unique set of characters, unlike what I've seem in other cozies. I'll be honest, as much of a cozy addict as I am, and I most definitely am, the overall character types and settings can become extremely redundant. The freshness of these characters is like opening a window on the first day of spring.
Irma and Violet, about as unlikely a combination as you could imagine, blend together beautifully as " "partners in crime". And let's not forget the great cast of supporting characters... Boris, Camille, Snookie, Mrs. Sepp, Mr. P, The Pickle and now Max. All of their personalities come alive and add wonderful flavor to the stories. Frankly, how can you not love a book with such a loveable dog as Mr. P in the story!
But, what is a book without a great story line? Maia Ross has not failed yet. Each book has grabbed your attention from the first and kept it to the last. The stories are well written, well thought out, intriguing and lots of fun! And as someone who frustrates her husband by knowing the killer within the first 5 min., I applaud her ability to trip me up. 😊 She keeps you guessing with many twists and unexpected turns.
You will not regret picking up one of Ms. Ross' books.
A wonderful read. Looking forward to the next installment!
July 29, 2023
Love this series
Treasure each book ! Save the books for special treats. Know I will love the next book as much as the last. Great writting! Could see this made into film. Maybe with some of the cast of the movie Red or Red2. Keeps you guessing to the end. And Humorous ! Please keep writting !
Treasure each book ! Save the books for special treats. Know I will love the next book as much as the last. Great writting! Could see this made into film. Maybe with some of the cast of the movie Red or Red2. Keeps you guessing to the end. And Humorous ! Please keep writting !
February 25, 2026
Two people have been murdered, and someone wants to stop the wedding of Beaver Island's Romeo and Juliet. Is it the same person or are Irma And Vi looking for two criminals? The further adventures of the spy who can't quite retire and her video gamer, computer nerd friend. Funny as always, with an unexpected but quite satifying twist, as well as a rather tragic twist.
December 19, 2023
The characters are awesome!
Start with book one! This is a fun series with hilariously complicated plots and mysteries. The story telling is exquisite!
Start with book one! This is a fun series with hilariously complicated plots and mysteries. The story telling is exquisite!
April 26, 2025
Too many characters
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews