What do you think?
Rate this book
Ozarks Lake Mystery #1
Fish Out of Water: An Ozarks Lake Mystery
Sinister secrets hidden by the tranquil waters of an Ozarks lake. Can married amateur sleuths bait and capture a killer before the truth slips away?
Kirkus Reviews —“A fine whodunit featuring a delightful cast whom readers will love—or love to hate.”
After newlyweds Elizabeth and Jonas Trout arrive to settle her grandmother's estate, they quickly find themselves embroiled in a treacherous mystery when Elizabeth is implicated in the murder of the property manager.
With mounting evidence and the Southern small-town sheriff convinced of her guilt, Elizabeth and Jonas must fish for clues on their own. They fear she may be left dangling on the hook for a crime she didn’t commit. Can these newlyweds net the real killer before Elizabeth is jailed for murder?
A cast of quirky characters and an enthralling story full of twists and turns will keep readers guessing until the end. If you like puzzling whodunits, you’ll love this first book in Marc Jedel's humorous and thrilling Ozarks Lake Mystery series.
Buy Fish Out of Water to reel in a slippery catch today!
Kirkus Reviews —“A fine whodunit featuring a delightful cast whom readers will love—or love to hate.”
After newlyweds Elizabeth and Jonas Trout arrive to settle her grandmother's estate, they quickly find themselves embroiled in a treacherous mystery when Elizabeth is implicated in the murder of the property manager.
With mounting evidence and the Southern small-town sheriff convinced of her guilt, Elizabeth and Jonas must fish for clues on their own. They fear she may be left dangling on the hook for a crime she didn’t commit. Can these newlyweds net the real killer before Elizabeth is jailed for murder?
A cast of quirky characters and an enthralling story full of twists and turns will keep readers guessing until the end. If you like puzzling whodunits, you’ll love this first book in Marc Jedel's humorous and thrilling Ozarks Lake Mystery series.
Buy Fish Out of Water to reel in a slippery catch today!
273 pages, Paperback
Published January 11, 2021
466 people are currently reading
286 people want to read
About the author
Marc Jedel
14 books69 followersMarc Jedel writes funny, feel-good murder mysteries filled with quirky characters, twisty plots, and the kind of humor that goes down easy with a cup of tea—or glass of wine.
After years writing marketing copy in Silicon Valley, Marc finally started crafting fiction people actually wanted to read. He’s the author of multiple cozy mystery series, including the Silicon Valley Mystery, Ozarks Lake Mystery, and Redwoods Country Mystery series. His books have earned thousands of glowing reviews.
Like Andy from the Redwoods Country Mysteries, Marc keeps getting older and sincerely hopes retirement doesn’t involve running a B&B. Like Marty from the Silicon Valley Mystery series, he lives in tech-heavy California, has worked in high-tech, and proudly wields bad puns. Like Jonas and Elizabeth from the Ozarks Lake Mystery series, Marc grew up in the South and spent many a summer in and around Arkansas.
He lives with his endlessly patient wife and a sweet, neurotic dog who remains deeply unimpressed by Marc’s jokes. When not writing, Marc can be found hiking, plotting murders (on the page, officer, really!), or avoiding whatever home improvement project he’s been putting off.
Visit his website, , www.mjedel.com for free content, special offers, and updates.
After years writing marketing copy in Silicon Valley, Marc finally started crafting fiction people actually wanted to read. He’s the author of multiple cozy mystery series, including the Silicon Valley Mystery, Ozarks Lake Mystery, and Redwoods Country Mystery series. His books have earned thousands of glowing reviews.
Like Andy from the Redwoods Country Mysteries, Marc keeps getting older and sincerely hopes retirement doesn’t involve running a B&B. Like Marty from the Silicon Valley Mystery series, he lives in tech-heavy California, has worked in high-tech, and proudly wields bad puns. Like Jonas and Elizabeth from the Ozarks Lake Mystery series, Marc grew up in the South and spent many a summer in and around Arkansas.
He lives with his endlessly patient wife and a sweet, neurotic dog who remains deeply unimpressed by Marc’s jokes. When not writing, Marc can be found hiking, plotting murders (on the page, officer, really!), or avoiding whatever home improvement project he’s been putting off.
Visit his website, , www.mjedel.com for free content, special offers, and updates.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
February 6, 2021
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Elizabeth and Jonas Trout have traveled from Portland to her home town of Jenkins, Arkansas to deal with her inheritance from her grandmother. Along with her mother, a local doctor, they are sorting through furniture. artwork, photographs, and more to get ready for an estate sale and future sale of her grandmother’s home. Before they can even get started on the project Elizabeth is arrested by her former boyfriend, for the murder of Duncan Fowler. Fowler was a schoolteacher, and property manager hired to help Elizabeth’s grandmother with her ranch. Elizabeth did have a public altercation with the man over some property damage but she didn’t kill the man. The Sheriff thinks he has more than enough evidence to convict her of the crime so it’s time for the Trout’s to do a little fishing for some better suspects. There are not many secrets in this little town but they reel in a whopper that should catch the real killer and land them behind bars.
The Trout’s are a very likable couple with excellent taste in dogs and their names. The puppy on the cover looks just like our recently deceased dog and we have named our new 10-week old pup, Daisy Mae, so you know the canine character immediately stole my heart. Elizabeth’s mom is a doctor and sometimes the medical examiner. She seems to be in non-stop motion tending to her patients or another cause. Because of Elizabeth’s arrest, she can’t have anything to do with the body but that doesn’t mean she can’t get information to clear her child’s name. The victim, Duncan Fowler had a lot of irons in the fire and at one point or another, it seemed like the entire town of Jenkins had a reason to kill the man. I enjoyed the small-town atmosphere and all the residents we met in this first Ozarks Lake Mystery. The characters developed nicely over the course of the story but there is plenty of room for growth as the series continues.
Keeping with the fishy theme, the mystery was filled with red herrings. The Trouts needed a huge net to hold all the suspects and patience as they tried to weed out those with a motive but clearly not the killer. With some nice twists, I was in the dark as to who the guilty party was until near the very end. I did figure out some other aspects as to how the story would play out though. One part didn’t completely fall into place by the end of this story but probably will in the next installment. The ending was exciting and surprising as all the clues fell into place.
This is the first book I have read by Marc Jedel after seeing so many wonderful reviews of his Silicon Valley Mysteries. What always caught my attention was his liberal use of humor so I jumped at the chance to read and review Fish Out of Water. I was thrilled to see his sense of humor shined in this book as well. He also filled this story with plenty of Southern charm.
Fish Out of Water was a delightful whodunit with truly engaging characters and a complicated mystery that I found to be completely entertaining. I am anxious to read the next book in this series, Swimming with the Fishes, I have also added all the Silicon Valley Mysteries to my wish list.
Elizabeth and Jonas Trout have traveled from Portland to her home town of Jenkins, Arkansas to deal with her inheritance from her grandmother. Along with her mother, a local doctor, they are sorting through furniture. artwork, photographs, and more to get ready for an estate sale and future sale of her grandmother’s home. Before they can even get started on the project Elizabeth is arrested by her former boyfriend, for the murder of Duncan Fowler. Fowler was a schoolteacher, and property manager hired to help Elizabeth’s grandmother with her ranch. Elizabeth did have a public altercation with the man over some property damage but she didn’t kill the man. The Sheriff thinks he has more than enough evidence to convict her of the crime so it’s time for the Trout’s to do a little fishing for some better suspects. There are not many secrets in this little town but they reel in a whopper that should catch the real killer and land them behind bars.
The Trout’s are a very likable couple with excellent taste in dogs and their names. The puppy on the cover looks just like our recently deceased dog and we have named our new 10-week old pup, Daisy Mae, so you know the canine character immediately stole my heart. Elizabeth’s mom is a doctor and sometimes the medical examiner. She seems to be in non-stop motion tending to her patients or another cause. Because of Elizabeth’s arrest, she can’t have anything to do with the body but that doesn’t mean she can’t get information to clear her child’s name. The victim, Duncan Fowler had a lot of irons in the fire and at one point or another, it seemed like the entire town of Jenkins had a reason to kill the man. I enjoyed the small-town atmosphere and all the residents we met in this first Ozarks Lake Mystery. The characters developed nicely over the course of the story but there is plenty of room for growth as the series continues.
Keeping with the fishy theme, the mystery was filled with red herrings. The Trouts needed a huge net to hold all the suspects and patience as they tried to weed out those with a motive but clearly not the killer. With some nice twists, I was in the dark as to who the guilty party was until near the very end. I did figure out some other aspects as to how the story would play out though. One part didn’t completely fall into place by the end of this story but probably will in the next installment. The ending was exciting and surprising as all the clues fell into place.
This is the first book I have read by Marc Jedel after seeing so many wonderful reviews of his Silicon Valley Mysteries. What always caught my attention was his liberal use of humor so I jumped at the chance to read and review Fish Out of Water. I was thrilled to see his sense of humor shined in this book as well. He also filled this story with plenty of Southern charm.
Fish Out of Water was a delightful whodunit with truly engaging characters and a complicated mystery that I found to be completely entertaining. I am anxious to read the next book in this series, Swimming with the Fishes, I have also added all the Silicon Valley Mysteries to my wish list.
January 4, 2021
Elizabeth and her new husband return to her small hometown because of the death of her grandmother to help settle her mother go through her beloved grandmother's things. She gets into an agrument with Duncan Fowler, a man who had been employed by her grandmother to help out around her house, because of damage done to her grandmother's property that he was responsible for. Next thing she knows, Duncan is dead of murder and she is arrested for committing the crime. She and her husband endeavor to be amatuer detectives to uncover the truth and clear her name. Their informal investigation reveals that not many people liked Duncan much (except for some ladies, as he was popular doing boudoir photos and having multiple affairs), and lots of people had motives to want his demise.
I liked this cozy mysery set in small town Arkansas and the couple that got justice against the system that was set against them. I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
I liked this cozy mysery set in small town Arkansas and the couple that got justice against the system that was set against them. I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
January 2, 2021
Expect the unexpected in this super fun book with a fresh approach to a humorous, cozy mystery. The story has all of the elements of the great cozy mystery - the romance of a newlywed couple, the secrets of a small town and the double-edged sweetness of southern charm. I enjoyed meeting the cast of credible suspects, and could envision every page-turning step through the woods to grandmother's house in the Ozarks Mountains. I'm glad I trusted my instinct to read the book with the beautiful cover and cute dog. Like any good sidekick in a mystery, Daisy is not just there to be sweet companion. The author carefully hid clues in plain sight and kept me guessing until the very end with a fantastic surprise ending.
February 8, 2021
I am a fan of Marc Jedel and his Silicon Valley Mystery series so when I saw Fish Out of Water I knew I had to give it a go. Fish Out of Water is the first book in his Ozarks Lake Mystery series and he has a great storyline and cast of characters you will love !!
Fish Out of Water follows two people, Elizabeth "Ellie Mae" Banks-Trout and her husband Jonas Trout. They have returned to Elizabeth's hometown of Jenkins Arkansas to go through her grandmother Mimi's house that was left to her as they want to have an estate sale and sell it. Elizabeth's mother , Dr. Banks, has hired an estate assessor to help them go through the house and get it ready for the estate sale. Unfortunately shortly after Elizabeth and Jonas arrive to town, her ex-boyfriend, a Sheriff Deputy, arrests Elizabeth for the murder of Duncan Fowler. Duncan Fowler was a teacher at the high school, photographer, and property manager among other "seedy" jobs. Luckily Elizabeth is processed and Jonas pays her bail so that they can continue to prepare for the estate sale as well as look into who actually killed Duncan.
Readers will enjoy reading and getting to know Elizabeth, Jonas, and her hometown. You will love the small town feel and how everyone knows everything about everyone but there are still many secrets waiting to be told. I personally enjoyed how Jedel dedicates each chapter to either Elizabeth or Jonas so that you are getting the viewpoint of each of them. I think that that really helps readers to get to know the characters better and not one-sided. And they way that there are so many viable candidates for the murder and why each of them could have done it will make your head spin !!!
I highly recommend reading Fish Out of Water and also look into Jedel's other series, Silicon Valley Mystery. They both have unique storylines with enjoyable and loving characters that will make you want to jump in the book and join in the fun !!!
Fish Out of Water follows two people, Elizabeth "Ellie Mae" Banks-Trout and her husband Jonas Trout. They have returned to Elizabeth's hometown of Jenkins Arkansas to go through her grandmother Mimi's house that was left to her as they want to have an estate sale and sell it. Elizabeth's mother , Dr. Banks, has hired an estate assessor to help them go through the house and get it ready for the estate sale. Unfortunately shortly after Elizabeth and Jonas arrive to town, her ex-boyfriend, a Sheriff Deputy, arrests Elizabeth for the murder of Duncan Fowler. Duncan Fowler was a teacher at the high school, photographer, and property manager among other "seedy" jobs. Luckily Elizabeth is processed and Jonas pays her bail so that they can continue to prepare for the estate sale as well as look into who actually killed Duncan.
Readers will enjoy reading and getting to know Elizabeth, Jonas, and her hometown. You will love the small town feel and how everyone knows everything about everyone but there are still many secrets waiting to be told. I personally enjoyed how Jedel dedicates each chapter to either Elizabeth or Jonas so that you are getting the viewpoint of each of them. I think that that really helps readers to get to know the characters better and not one-sided. And they way that there are so many viable candidates for the murder and why each of them could have done it will make your head spin !!!
I highly recommend reading Fish Out of Water and also look into Jedel's other series, Silicon Valley Mystery. They both have unique storylines with enjoyable and loving characters that will make you want to jump in the book and join in the fun !!!
August 25, 2022
Elizabeth Trout left her hometown of Jenkins, Arkansas, and is now newly married to her husband Jonas. But her grandmother has died, and now she’s returned to Jenkins to help settle her deceased grandmother’s estate. Her visit starts with a bang when Duncan Fowler, local teacher and the person hired to help her grandmother manage the property, is found dead, and Elizabeth is fingered as the prime suspect.
The sheriff seems pretty convinced that Elizabeth is the guilty party, so much so that it seems like no other investigations are being carried out. Elizabeth, with some help from Jonas, her mother Mary, and her best friend Kelsey, has to do some digging on her own to try to point the investigation in the right direction, and away from her.
The story is told alternating between Elizabeth’s and Jonas’s viewpoints. The contrast in their characters is delightful, and you can see that with them, opposites attract! Elizabeth was apparently a bit of a tail-twister back in her younger days (the high school principal remembers her VERY well, and not necessarily in a positive light!), and she’s not afraid to jump headfirst into a situation without much regard for the consequences. Jonas, by contrast, is calmer, more level-headed, more likely to think things through. They work well together, and Jonas’s cool head gets them out of a sticky situation or two.
The small town of Jenkins is filled with colorful characters, and as the story unfolds, it becomes clear that more than one of those characters had reason to hate Duncan. He had a lot more going on than anyone realized, and not all of it was nice. But which of the local folks hated him enough to kill him? Jedel does a great job throwing down distractions and making you think the clues lead one way, then spinning it around and sending you down another trail entirely.
There’s a good bit of tension as the action ratchets up toward the big reveal, and while I’d figured some things out, the identity of the killer came as a surprise. I love how everything wrapped up, and I’m glad that Elizabeth and Jonas now have the opportunity to call Jenkins home for a while. I look forward to reading the rest of the series to see what shenanigans they get up to next!
If you want an entertaining mystery with small-town charm and main characters you can’t help but cheer for, pick up Fish Out of Water. It’ll make you smile!
Thank you to the author for a review copy. All opinions here are mine, and I don’t say nice things about books that I don’t actually like.
The sheriff seems pretty convinced that Elizabeth is the guilty party, so much so that it seems like no other investigations are being carried out. Elizabeth, with some help from Jonas, her mother Mary, and her best friend Kelsey, has to do some digging on her own to try to point the investigation in the right direction, and away from her.
The story is told alternating between Elizabeth’s and Jonas’s viewpoints. The contrast in their characters is delightful, and you can see that with them, opposites attract! Elizabeth was apparently a bit of a tail-twister back in her younger days (the high school principal remembers her VERY well, and not necessarily in a positive light!), and she’s not afraid to jump headfirst into a situation without much regard for the consequences. Jonas, by contrast, is calmer, more level-headed, more likely to think things through. They work well together, and Jonas’s cool head gets them out of a sticky situation or two.
The small town of Jenkins is filled with colorful characters, and as the story unfolds, it becomes clear that more than one of those characters had reason to hate Duncan. He had a lot more going on than anyone realized, and not all of it was nice. But which of the local folks hated him enough to kill him? Jedel does a great job throwing down distractions and making you think the clues lead one way, then spinning it around and sending you down another trail entirely.
There’s a good bit of tension as the action ratchets up toward the big reveal, and while I’d figured some things out, the identity of the killer came as a surprise. I love how everything wrapped up, and I’m glad that Elizabeth and Jonas now have the opportunity to call Jenkins home for a while. I look forward to reading the rest of the series to see what shenanigans they get up to next!
If you want an entertaining mystery with small-town charm and main characters you can’t help but cheer for, pick up Fish Out of Water. It’ll make you smile!
Thank you to the author for a review copy. All opinions here are mine, and I don’t say nice things about books that I don’t actually like.
December 31, 2020
Elizabeth and Jonas Trout are going back to Arkansas to deal with her grandmother's house; to get it ready to auction the items and sale the house. However a dead body shows up and Elizabeth is the prime suspect. Can she and Jonas find the real killer before Elizabeth is arrested? Join them as they try to track down who did it and why. Each chapter is told from the viewpoint of one of the main characters. Enjoy the quirky characters and their interactions in the small town.
January 8, 2021
Wow! A new author to me and a great start for a new series. Small town politics and secrets abound in this cozy mystery. Elizabeth and Jonas have returned to Elizabeth’s Arkansas hometown after the death of her beloved grandmother, Mimi, to empty and sell the house she left to Elizabeth. I immediately fell in love with Jonas and Elizabeth, an interesting couple, who are very different but really compliment each other. But being from out of town, can they solve the murder Elizabeth is accused of? I’m so glad I received an advance copy of this book!
February 3, 2021
Some of my favorite things about cozy mysteries are the small town atmosphere, the quirky, colorful characters and the fun clues sprinkled throughout that lead to the conclusion, which often leaves me surprised as to who did it. I got all of that along with some southern flavor. I couldn’t help but think of a song and it kept repeating in my head while I read this book, “Over the mountains and through the woods, to grandmother’s house we go.” I had a lot of fun with the author’s Silicon Valley series and Marc’s new Ozarks Lake series is off to a great start. I’ll be following along to see what happens to his characters next time around.
I received a complimentary copy. My review is voluntarily given.
I received a complimentary copy. My review is voluntarily given.
February 7, 2021
FISH OUT OF WATER by Marc Jedel
The First Ozarks Lake Mystery
Elizabeth Trout and her new husband, Jonas, return to her hometown of Jenkins, Arkansas to help settle her grandmother's estate. While she expects sadness over the loss of Mimi and difficulty dealing with her take charge mother, she doesn't expect to be arrested by her ex-boyfriend for the murder of Mimi's property manager. Despite a murder charge looming over her, Elizabeth and Jonas settle into life in Jenkins with Jonas learning what small town life is really like. With no confidence that the new sheriff will look further than Elizabeth for the killer, Elizabeth's mom decides the couple must find other viable suspects. They uncover many secrets, but will any of them lead to the real killer?
In FISH OUT OF WATER we get the story from both Elizabeth's and Jonas's point of view. While it's interesting to get their different takes I prefer sticking with a singular point of view. Although each chapter clearly indicates whose point of view it is, I still found myself somewhat muddled early on. On the whole. Jonas's point of view was much stronger and I found myself relating much more to him than Elizabeth.
I really like Jonas and his idiosyncracies. His fish out of water exploits in Arkansas were charming and funny, and I love how he deals with the residents of his wife's hometown. I found Elizabeth's mom to be a hoot and I am very happy that she is not my mother. While I liked Elizabeth, I never formed a great connection with her.
The first Ozarks Lake Mystery is a tale of secrets and small town life with well aimed digs covered by Southern congeniality. It's a tale of fitting in and finding home. An interesting mystery with several surprises makes FISH OUT OF WATER a good start to a new series.
FTC Disclosure – The author sent me an e-copy of this book in the hopes I would review it.
The First Ozarks Lake Mystery
Elizabeth Trout and her new husband, Jonas, return to her hometown of Jenkins, Arkansas to help settle her grandmother's estate. While she expects sadness over the loss of Mimi and difficulty dealing with her take charge mother, she doesn't expect to be arrested by her ex-boyfriend for the murder of Mimi's property manager. Despite a murder charge looming over her, Elizabeth and Jonas settle into life in Jenkins with Jonas learning what small town life is really like. With no confidence that the new sheriff will look further than Elizabeth for the killer, Elizabeth's mom decides the couple must find other viable suspects. They uncover many secrets, but will any of them lead to the real killer?
In FISH OUT OF WATER we get the story from both Elizabeth's and Jonas's point of view. While it's interesting to get their different takes I prefer sticking with a singular point of view. Although each chapter clearly indicates whose point of view it is, I still found myself somewhat muddled early on. On the whole. Jonas's point of view was much stronger and I found myself relating much more to him than Elizabeth.
I really like Jonas and his idiosyncracies. His fish out of water exploits in Arkansas were charming and funny, and I love how he deals with the residents of his wife's hometown. I found Elizabeth's mom to be a hoot and I am very happy that she is not my mother. While I liked Elizabeth, I never formed a great connection with her.
The first Ozarks Lake Mystery is a tale of secrets and small town life with well aimed digs covered by Southern congeniality. It's a tale of fitting in and finding home. An interesting mystery with several surprises makes FISH OUT OF WATER a good start to a new series.
FTC Disclosure – The author sent me an e-copy of this book in the hopes I would review it.
February 9, 2021
When I heard about fish Out of Water I knew I would like it but I wondered if this newish author would pull it off.
I have read the previous series Silicon Valley.
And so I hoped that this one would have the same feel good quality and suspected a few chuckles, an interesting mystery to solve and some fun characters.
Pulling it off was a cup of tea for author Marc Jadel.
Silly me
Fish Out of Water had the same Cozy vibe and contains a unique mystery(s) to solve and a wonderful cast of characters that keep you engaged while you turn the pages.
I loved the Arkansas small town setting. The little town of Jenkins has a Mayberry feel with a couple old codgers that sit on the bench outside the town grocery store. They might have a good lunch suggestion for the new in town. They solve world problems while keeping their eye on the locals so they can be all up in everybody's business.
Which is good for Jonas when their chit chat brings to light a possible suspect that might get his wife off the hook and the suspect list.
I enjoyed all the colorful quirky your characters.
Marc Jadel not only gives the reader great quirky characters but a strong well written storyline makes for a great read.
No spoilers here but Jonas and Ellie end up stayin' in Jenkins with all thier fun new friends.
I am wondering what mystery or world problem might be solved on that bench next time.
I received a complimentary copy.
I have read the previous series Silicon Valley.
And so I hoped that this one would have the same feel good quality and suspected a few chuckles, an interesting mystery to solve and some fun characters.
Pulling it off was a cup of tea for author Marc Jadel.
Silly me
Fish Out of Water had the same Cozy vibe and contains a unique mystery(s) to solve and a wonderful cast of characters that keep you engaged while you turn the pages.
I loved the Arkansas small town setting. The little town of Jenkins has a Mayberry feel with a couple old codgers that sit on the bench outside the town grocery store. They might have a good lunch suggestion for the new in town. They solve world problems while keeping their eye on the locals so they can be all up in everybody's business.
Which is good for Jonas when their chit chat brings to light a possible suspect that might get his wife off the hook and the suspect list.
I enjoyed all the colorful quirky your characters.
Marc Jadel not only gives the reader great quirky characters but a strong well written storyline makes for a great read.
No spoilers here but Jonas and Ellie end up stayin' in Jenkins with all thier fun new friends.
I am wondering what mystery or world problem might be solved on that bench next time.
I received a complimentary copy.
January 9, 2021
You can go home again! But, beware! The local sheriff may view you as an outsider and quickly arrest you for murder. That’s what happens to Elizabeth in this quirky new cozy mystery set in Arkansas.
Elizabeth inherits her grandmother’s ranch. She and her husband, Jonas, return to her hometown to close out the estate. They find major damage done to the land in one corner of the property. Elizabeth confronts the ranch’s property manager, Duncan, loudly, in front of witnesses. When Duncan is found dead, the Sheriff arrests Elizabeth for the crime. What else can Elizabeth and Jonas do but find the real murderer?
The mystery within Fish Out of Water is extremely challenging. There are red herrings everywhere. It seems everyone had a motive to kill Duncan. By the end, I was almost expecting everyone to have done it together a la Murder on the Orient Express. Needless to say (but I’m going to say it anyway), I didn’t choose the correct suspect...but it was fun trying.
If you want to read a challenging mystery set in a charming cozy mystery world, I highly recommend Fish Out of Water. 4 stars!
Thanks to the author and Great Escapes Virtual Book Tours for a copy in exchange for my honest review.
Elizabeth inherits her grandmother’s ranch. She and her husband, Jonas, return to her hometown to close out the estate. They find major damage done to the land in one corner of the property. Elizabeth confronts the ranch’s property manager, Duncan, loudly, in front of witnesses. When Duncan is found dead, the Sheriff arrests Elizabeth for the crime. What else can Elizabeth and Jonas do but find the real murderer?
The mystery within Fish Out of Water is extremely challenging. There are red herrings everywhere. It seems everyone had a motive to kill Duncan. By the end, I was almost expecting everyone to have done it together a la Murder on the Orient Express. Needless to say (but I’m going to say it anyway), I didn’t choose the correct suspect...but it was fun trying.
If you want to read a challenging mystery set in a charming cozy mystery world, I highly recommend Fish Out of Water. 4 stars!
Thanks to the author and Great Escapes Virtual Book Tours for a copy in exchange for my honest review.
July 17, 2022
Elizabeth arrives in her home town of Jenkins Arkansas, with her husband Jonas to help her mother Mary clean out her grandmothers home to get ready to sell. Elizabeth was very close to her grandmother and spend many hours at the her home while her mother worked as the local doctor. She is having a hard time going through her things, and getting ready for the estate sale on Sunday. She notices that Duncan Fowler who has been overseeing the property for her is not handling things as she would like. She happens to see him at the local food mart and lets him know what she thinks. Next thing she knows, the local deputy and ex-boyfriend is arresting her for Duncan's murder. She thinks it's a joke. What happens next makes for a great story, of course, Elizabeth didn't kill Duncan, but, who did? Elizabeth is out on bail and since the sheriff is not finding the killer fast enough, she and Jonas are out looking for the murdered. What a great book, and a lot of suspects, I didn't guess who it was, will you?
July 8, 2025
This novel is a sharp, fast-paced mystery.
The story follows Elizabeth and Jonas Trout as they return to rural Arkansas, only to get swept into a murder investigation.
Jedel balances tension with humour, especially through the couple’s contrasting voices. Elizabeth charges ahead. Jonas hesitates, observes, and grounds the story. Their dynamic brings heart to the sleuthing.
The plot moves with purpose. Suspects pile up. Jedel scatters red herrings without muddying the trail.
The setting, an Ozarks lake town, feels lived in.
Dialogue rings true, often laced with charm or wit.
The book’s biggest strength lies in tone. It entertains without slipping into parody.
Some side characters could use more depth, but they serve the story well.
The ultimate twist satisfies without straining belief.
Recommended for fans of cosy mysteries who enjoy regional charm, amateur sleuths, and smart humour.
This first book sets the stage for a promising series.
Ideal for readers seeking a fun, clean whodunit with personality.
The story follows Elizabeth and Jonas Trout as they return to rural Arkansas, only to get swept into a murder investigation.
Jedel balances tension with humour, especially through the couple’s contrasting voices. Elizabeth charges ahead. Jonas hesitates, observes, and grounds the story. Their dynamic brings heart to the sleuthing.
The plot moves with purpose. Suspects pile up. Jedel scatters red herrings without muddying the trail.
The setting, an Ozarks lake town, feels lived in.
Dialogue rings true, often laced with charm or wit.
The book’s biggest strength lies in tone. It entertains without slipping into parody.
Some side characters could use more depth, but they serve the story well.
The ultimate twist satisfies without straining belief.
Recommended for fans of cosy mysteries who enjoy regional charm, amateur sleuths, and smart humour.
This first book sets the stage for a promising series.
Ideal for readers seeking a fun, clean whodunit with personality.
September 20, 2021
With an eye catching book cover and a look into life in Jenkins, Arkansas, Fish Out of Water is an enjoyable cozy. The first book of the Ozarks Lake Mystery series by Marc Jedel, introduces readers to married couple--Elizabeth and Jonas Trout. Elizabeth's beloved "Mimi" recently passed away and left her Arkansas ranch, including the house and the land, to Elizabeth. The couple left Portland to help Elizabeth's mother, Mary Banks, get the house's contains ready to sell. Unfortunately, when the property manager for the ranch/high school teacher, Duncan Fowler, is found murdered in the river, Elizabeth is the chief murder suspect! She is arrested and taken in by her high school boyfriend, now deputy sheriff, Trent Walker. I really enjoyed this book from start to finish. It is well written, has interesting quirky characters, and lots of humor. I'm ready to read the second book to revisit the characters and see what happens next!
January 8, 2021
I loved this new series premier from Marc Jedel, author of the Silicon Valley mysteries (Uncle Marty). This clean, cozy mystery is a rollicking good time with quirky characters, set in a small town in Arkansas. The down home southern speech and behaviors are so spot on, it makes me wonder if Mr. Jedel was raised in the south. The mystery had me guessing to the end, and I still got it wrong. There is humor, excitement, and atmosphere, with no offensive language or graphic sex.
I was privileged to read an advance copy and really enjoyed it, so much that I bought the book as soon as it was released so I can have it in all my devices. I’m looking forward to book #2! Can’t wait to see what trouble Jonas, Elizabeth and Mary get mixed up in next!
I was privileged to read an advance copy and really enjoyed it, so much that I bought the book as soon as it was released so I can have it in all my devices. I’m looking forward to book #2! Can’t wait to see what trouble Jonas, Elizabeth and Mary get mixed up in next!
January 13, 2021
Elizabeth Trout and her husband Jonas are in Jenkins, Arkansas to help her mother, Mary ready her deceased grandmother's house for an estate sale. Several days after their arrival, the sheriff's deputy arrests Elizabeth for the murder of Duncan Fowler, a biology teacher at the local high school. The sheriff is convinced that she is the killer and doesn't seem to look for any other suspects. Being a small town, gossip is rampant. It seems the victim was into a number of different occupations besides teaching. The number of suspects just keeps growing, with no clear indication of who or why Duncan was killed. Elizabeth and Jonas are looking for the killer to prove her innocence.
Can they find the killer? A fun read and great book. Looking forward to the next one.
I received this book free from the author for my review of same.
Can they find the killer? A fun read and great book. Looking forward to the next one.
I received this book free from the author for my review of same.
June 23, 2022
Elizabeth gets a call from Trent, the town deputy, asking her to come to the police station to pick up her dad. Well, this can't be, Elizabeth's mom Mary told her that her dad was dead. She goes to the police station and there he is in all his glory, her dad. Elizabeth thinks, he as a lot of explaining to do. Where has he been for the last 30 years. Alan was picked up in connection to a murder at the Crater of Diamonds park. He was there, was he a killer, so many questions to answer. This book is a great mystery with may suspects and a surprise killer.
January 10, 2021
I greatly enjoyed reading Fish Out of Water. It is the perfect read for these times, engaging and enjoyable. Jedel has done a terrific job with character development, and he leaves you guessing to the very end. Jedel has captured small town life. He uses humor effectively as he explores the relationship between husbands and wives, mothers and daughters and losing a loved one. Can't wait to read the next installment!
August 10, 2021
I came across Fish Out of Water by Marc Jedel and gave it a try, and I am so glad I did. I love finding a book by a new to me author that I really enjoyed. The characters are fun and realistic, and the story will keep you guessing. I will warn you that you do not want to start this late in the evening unless staying up late reading won't bother you. I found it hard to put down, and can't wait for the next book to come out.
September 10, 2021
All’s well that ends well
A comedy of errors and secrets confuses a murder investigation. Elizabeth and Jonas leave Portland to check on her inheritance in Arkansas and run into the tangle of relationships and secrets that is a small Southern town in a cozy mystery. Follow along as they uncover secret feuds, clandestine relationships, greedy business people and surprising motives on the way to solving the murder.
A comedy of errors and secrets confuses a murder investigation. Elizabeth and Jonas leave Portland to check on her inheritance in Arkansas and run into the tangle of relationships and secrets that is a small Southern town in a cozy mystery. Follow along as they uncover secret feuds, clandestine relationships, greedy business people and surprising motives on the way to solving the murder.
October 4, 2021
Definitely a Humorous Mystery
Being an Oklahoman, I am familiar with Arkansas. And being a Texan now, I am familiar with accents and "Southern Speak.". I enjoyed the interactions between Elizabeth and her mother. The small town has plenty of quirky characters. I look forward to reading more adventures of Elizabeth and Jonas as he discovers the differences between living in Jenkins, Arkansas, and Portland,Oregon.
Being an Oklahoman, I am familiar with Arkansas. And being a Texan now, I am familiar with accents and "Southern Speak.". I enjoyed the interactions between Elizabeth and her mother. The small town has plenty of quirky characters. I look forward to reading more adventures of Elizabeth and Jonas as he discovers the differences between living in Jenkins, Arkansas, and Portland,Oregon.
September 18, 2023
Fish out of Water is a good title for this cozy mystery. Newlyweds Elizabeth and Jonas decide to escape the city life and move to the Ozarks region in Arkansas. They move to the village that Elizabeth grew up in and settle in the former home of her late grandmother. Only to realize that everything is different there. And not only that but there is a dead guy on there property, a local. Elizabeth's ex is the Deputy investigating the case. It was fun and had a great mystery
March 23, 2025
A fun cozy mystery by a new to me author. Fish out of water by Marc Jedel stars newlyweds Elizabeth and Jonas Trout. They’ve returned to her home town in Arkansas after she inherited her grandparents house. While there, Elizabeth is arrested for a murder and the two work to prove her innocence. The deputy is her ex boyfriend who she hasn’t seen since leaving town ten years earlier. There’s lots of twists, surprises and humor. I really enjoyed this book.
September 18, 2025
Don't skip this book
I almost skipped it and am glad I didn't. Just finished reading it a second time. It's a fun easy to enjoy story whose characters are so normal. At the end you can feel the villain pouting. You even feel a bit sorry for him. The author has an easy flowing conversational tone that keeps the action moving without a lot of unnecessary verbiage. Now on to book two of this series.
I almost skipped it and am glad I didn't. Just finished reading it a second time. It's a fun easy to enjoy story whose characters are so normal. At the end you can feel the villain pouting. You even feel a bit sorry for him. The author has an easy flowing conversational tone that keeps the action moving without a lot of unnecessary verbiage. Now on to book two of this series.
March 23, 2021
An interesting intersection of the Pacific Northwest with small town, rural Arkansas. This was a pleasant stroll down the main street and some of the back dealings of Jenkins, Arkansas. Jedel is getting good at developing quirky and endearing characters and putting them in the most unlikely of circumstances. Another job well done.
June 19, 2024
This is the first time I have read anything by Marc Jedel. I absolutely enjoyed this mystery! I must admit, I had quite the list of suspects. I also wasn't sure if Elizabeth was every going to be cleared of wrong doing, or if she was heading for prison. I can't wait to read Swimming With the Fishes next!
March 25, 2025
kept me reading
Except for the overly southern expression and they were used to death. Bless your little heart honey.
I am southern as are all my family and yes we use those expressions but not all at once!
The rest of it is good. Actually kept me guessing until the end! Thanks June
Except for the overly southern expression and they were used to death. Bless your little heart honey.
I am southern as are all my family and yes we use those expressions but not all at once!
The rest of it is good. Actually kept me guessing until the end! Thanks June
April 3, 2025
Wonderfully Exciting!
Never a dull moment! This story grabbed me on the first few pages. Set in Arkansas with me in Louisiana so many things are the same in small towns! lol There was never a dull moment from beginning to end. Loved it. Gonna have to check
out another by Marc Jewel
Never a dull moment! This story grabbed me on the first few pages. Set in Arkansas with me in Louisiana so many things are the same in small towns! lol There was never a dull moment from beginning to end. Loved it. Gonna have to check
out another by Marc Jewel
August 22, 2025
Almost Had It
I had one in mind as the killer from the beginning; came close. You could say I was worse than the sheriff. I was so certain, I missed certain tells. The best part? The story was clean. No foul language, no gratuitous sex, no having to skip pages to get on track with the plot.
I had one in mind as the killer from the beginning; came close. You could say I was worse than the sheriff. I was so certain, I missed certain tells. The best part? The story was clean. No foul language, no gratuitous sex, no having to skip pages to get on track with the plot.
January 8, 2021
I love Marc's other books. His characters seem more well developed in this book, they are very likable and draw you in. I am already looking forward to another installment in this series. I know that ending is just right for a sequel.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews