Cozy on Up in NC Cardinal discussion

Hello everyone. I hope you've all been doing well. With short-staffing and sickness at the library, it's been hard to have time to post here. However, the focus on Louisiana / Mardi Gras / Cajun / New Orleans has been very fun for me during the dark and gloomy days post-Christmas season, and perhaps you've found yourself a new favorite author! Ellen Byron's series was particularly good.

We're going to move on to "Murder by the Seashore" in sunny California as a way to step closer to our summer reading theme of Adventure Begins at Your Library while also having a nod to National Library Week in April. May, June, July, and August's reading all fit the adventure theme, focusing largely on camping or cruise ship travel. Some of the books are Kindle Unlimited for those that prefer that format, and others are available in NC Cardinal member libraries so you can request physical copies (nccardinal.org) or Libby eBooks.

April's book - Murder by the Seashore by Canadian author Samara Yew - is book #1 in A California Bookshop Mystery series; her debut novel about books, beach, and murder! I've heard in-person from patrons that they loved it and can't wait for the next title. While reviewers state they love the characters, setting, plot and pace, what did you think? What did you like most and least about the book (plot, pacing, character introduction & development, balance of mystery + small town setting & life)? How soon were you able to figure out who the killer or culprit was; was it too easy or too hard due to a jolting surprise turn at the end? Who was your favorite character and why? What was your favorite moment in the book? Would you read more by this author?