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Beaver Island #4
Water Town: A Humorous Beaver Island Mystery
A floating palace, an unruly appliance, and a killer on the loose…
When one of Irma’s friends asks for help vetting a potential suitor, she’s sure that a little digging into his past will do the trick. But after she discovers that a robotic appliance might be on a rampage in the almost-beau’s swanky houseboat community, she sets out to entice Violet into unravelling another technological snafu.
It takes some doing to properly motivate Violet, and even worse, a strange young man has been skulking around Irma’s house, alarming Mr. P, her furry sidekick. On top of that, there’s a new sheriff in town who's been raising Irma's hackles—along with her curiosity about what’s happened to Chief Pickle.
After a loved one is injured and a friend’s son is arrested for murder, Irma has to confront her idea of family—and what she’s willing to do to protect hers. Will she and her crime-fighting companions join forces to find a killer…or die trying?
When one of Irma’s friends asks for help vetting a potential suitor, she’s sure that a little digging into his past will do the trick. But after she discovers that a robotic appliance might be on a rampage in the almost-beau’s swanky houseboat community, she sets out to entice Violet into unravelling another technological snafu.
It takes some doing to properly motivate Violet, and even worse, a strange young man has been skulking around Irma’s house, alarming Mr. P, her furry sidekick. On top of that, there’s a new sheriff in town who's been raising Irma's hackles—along with her curiosity about what’s happened to Chief Pickle.
After a loved one is injured and a friend’s son is arrested for murder, Irma has to confront her idea of family—and what she’s willing to do to protect hers. Will she and her crime-fighting companions join forces to find a killer…or die trying?
- GenresMystery
389 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 1, 2022
224 people are currently reading
38 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.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
November 12, 2022
A really good mystery and a lot of fun.
September 6, 2022
Every time I read a Beaver Island Mystery I make myself a promise - I will read verrry slowww to keep from finishing the book and every time I read faster than I thought possible and am a little sad. To me, the series is that good.
When I grow up, as I've said before, I want to be Irma Abercrombie. Former spy who can strike terror in the biggest bad guy (she's 70 and about 5 feet tall), elegant, cultured, kind hearted, funny and deadly dangerous. No one puts Irma in a corner - unless she wants to go. Water Town finds Irma and her sidekick, (tech genius Violet) on a mission to determine if a Roomba went psycho and attacked. Of course, the mystery deepens when murder and greed combine to put Irma and Violet in harm's way.
Being a mature woman (over 50), it's enjoyable to see Irma (70) and Violet (43) knocking down stereotypes. They are a hoot! Each one has a love interest which enhances, not overshadows the story and the characters that live on the island are quirky, lovable and some have secrets.
I'm impatiently for the next book!
When I grow up, as I've said before, I want to be Irma Abercrombie. Former spy who can strike terror in the biggest bad guy (she's 70 and about 5 feet tall), elegant, cultured, kind hearted, funny and deadly dangerous. No one puts Irma in a corner - unless she wants to go. Water Town finds Irma and her sidekick, (tech genius Violet) on a mission to determine if a Roomba went psycho and attacked. Of course, the mystery deepens when murder and greed combine to put Irma and Violet in harm's way.
Being a mature woman (over 50), it's enjoyable to see Irma (70) and Violet (43) knocking down stereotypes. They are a hoot! Each one has a love interest which enhances, not overshadows the story and the characters that live on the island are quirky, lovable and some have secrets.
I'm impatiently for the next book!
March 1, 2023
Maia Ross’ mysteries are witty and just plain fun. She has a great cast of characters, from Irma( a retired British Spy) to her quirky Slavic neighbor Mrs. Sepp and her little dog Mr. P, to her gardening nemesis Snookie.
Every time I read one of her mysteries I picture the very talented Helen Mirren as Irma. She is perfect for this role. The Beaver Island mysteries are just as pure fun afternoon. Reading!
Every time I read one of her mysteries I picture the very talented Helen Mirren as Irma. She is perfect for this role. The Beaver Island mysteries are just as pure fun afternoon. Reading!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I find myself enjoying the Beaver Island Mysteries more with each book. Water Town, the fourth book in this delightful cozy mystery series, opens about one month after the conclusion of the third title. It’s been a fairly quiet and low-key month, with Violet figuring out how to run her company remotely and Irma preparing her gardens for the annual show. However, things go sideways when a dead body is discovered on the golf course, Chief Pickle is on leave, and someone may be trying to hurt Violet.
Like the previous stories, Water Town is an entertaining blend of whodunit and personal stories of the two protagonists. Ross does an excellent job spinning a story and sprinkling it with clues without leading readers astray with blatant red herrings. Irma’s good friend Geraldine needs help when her new boyfriend’s nephew is discovered dead and her son is the primary suspect. Violet and Irma use their strengths and experience to piece together the clues while sussing out the truth. I appreciate that Irma, Violet, and Julian together consider all of the possibilities. They think of things even I didn’t consider. It’s a pet peeve when characters in a mystery miss obvious connections, so their thoughtfulness made me happy.
What makes this series so wonderful are the two main characters Violet and Irma. They continue to grow closer and deepen their friendship, which is more like a mother - daughter connection, filling emotional gaps each has in her life. This time around, Irma has to face real fear when Violet is hospitalized. Irma realizes she’s not infallible but that she’s safe expressing her emotions - her fear for Violet after finding her unconscious - and how no one was going to use her emotions against her. Meanwhile, Violet is starting to discover what truly makes her happy while embracing Irma’s outdoor living and falling for Julian.
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 slightly adjusts the dialogue for most characters. 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 care for her Violet. While it can come off young and whiny, it’s starting to grow on me. Balm also seems to struggle with the other younger characters and those with straight Canadian/American accents. Characters of the same gender, regardless of age, tend to sound the same.
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.
I continue to enjoy this series immensely and look forward to more adventures for Irma and Violet.
My Ratings:
Story: A
Narration:
Balm: B-
Burchard: B+
Review originally posted at That's What I'm Talking About
Review copy provided by Publisher
Like the previous stories, Water Town is an entertaining blend of whodunit and personal stories of the two protagonists. Ross does an excellent job spinning a story and sprinkling it with clues without leading readers astray with blatant red herrings. Irma’s good friend Geraldine needs help when her new boyfriend’s nephew is discovered dead and her son is the primary suspect. Violet and Irma use their strengths and experience to piece together the clues while sussing out the truth. I appreciate that Irma, Violet, and Julian together consider all of the possibilities. They think of things even I didn’t consider. It’s a pet peeve when characters in a mystery miss obvious connections, so their thoughtfulness made me happy.
What makes this series so wonderful are the two main characters Violet and Irma. They continue to grow closer and deepen their friendship, which is more like a mother - daughter connection, filling emotional gaps each has in her life. This time around, Irma has to face real fear when Violet is hospitalized. Irma realizes she’s not infallible but that she’s safe expressing her emotions - her fear for Violet after finding her unconscious - and how no one was going to use her emotions against her. Meanwhile, Violet is starting to discover what truly makes her happy while embracing Irma’s outdoor living and falling for Julian.
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 slightly adjusts the dialogue for most characters. 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 care for her Violet. While it can come off young and whiny, it’s starting to grow on me. Balm also seems to struggle with the other younger characters and those with straight Canadian/American accents. Characters of the same gender, regardless of age, tend to sound the same.
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.
I continue to enjoy this series immensely and look forward to more adventures for Irma and Violet.
My Ratings:
Story: A
Narration:
Balm: B-
Burchard: B+
Review originally posted at That's What I'm Talking About
Review copy provided by Publisher
February 29, 2024
Loved it!
I've become more used to the dual POVs and I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Great characters, plot moved along nicely, and the setting is somewhere I would visit. Ow to dive into the next book in the series!
I've become more used to the dual POVs and I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Great characters, plot moved along nicely, and the setting is somewhere I would visit. Ow to dive into the next book in the series!
March 7, 2026
Another funny visit to Beaver Island, where Irma and Violet follow a trail of clues to untangle land fraud, revenge, and murder.
October 24, 2023
Love Maia Ross's Beaver Island series.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews