Author: Sherry Harris
Genre: Mystery
Mass Market Paperback; Digital Book (Audiobook Available)
ISBN #: 9781496723048
Kensington Publishing
207 Pages
$7.69; $6.99 Amazon
July 27, 2021
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Chloe loves her new life pouring beers and mixing cocktails at the Sea Glass Saloon in the Florida Panhandle town of Emerald Cove. But on the job, the only exercise she gets is walking from one end of the bar to the other, so in the mornings she loves to run on the beach. On this morning's foggy run, she spots a sailboat washed up on a sandbar. Hearing a cry, she climbs aboard the beached vessel to investigate and finds not only a mewling kitten -- but a human skeleton in the cabin.
The skeleton is tied back to Chloe's friend Ralph, whose wife disappeared on a sailboat with three other people twelve years ago. Believing his wife was lost as sea, Ralph remarried. Now he finds himself a murder suspect. Chloe is determined to find out who's been up to some skullduggery, but her sleuthing will lead her into some rough waters and some bone-chilling revelations...
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Chloe Jackson moved from Chicago to Emerald Cove, Florida after her best friend Boone died in Afghanistan and left her everything -- which includes his home, boat, and 25% in the bar his grandmother Vivi owns. After coming to a sort of truce with Vivi, Chloe is settling into her new life. But while jogging on a foggy morning she hears what she thinks is a baby crying on a boat that seems to be stuck on a sandbar. Swimming out to the boat, she finds it's not a child, but a cat, and while exploring she also finds a skeleton aboard. When the boat catches fire, she dives off with the cat, hoping to make it to shore. But a man with a boat rescues her, returns her to shore and disappears.
To make matters worse, Boone's father returns -- and claims he has a new will of Boone's that leaves him everything, including being half-owner of the bar. But everyone knows Boone would never do that, but the problem lies in trying to find out proof, which Chloe intends to do.
Chloe finds herself in another murder this time -- but discovers that it might be one from long ago. When she gives the police a ring she also discovered before bailing, she finds that it belonged to her friend Ralph's late wife -- and he might be a suspect. Now she's looking for the good Samaritan that saved her, and the person who might have killed Ralph's wife. Could they be one and the same? Or is something else afoot? And is someone trying to make sure she doesn't find anything else out?
This is the second book in the series and it is quite as good as the first. Chloe is coming to love her new life, and Vivi is changing in her feelings toward Chloe. There's also a hint of change in the air for Chloe with a new relationship, but it doesn't get in way of the mystery. We also have the enigmatic Ann Williams around again, and Joaquin, of course; all of these people make for a very interesting book.
I loved the mystery -- which was more a mystery within one; and there's a subplot that is quite intriguing as well. Watching Chloe try to navigate her new life and the things going on around her are worth the read; and the reappearance of Boone's father Steven brings angst to the group at the Sea Glass. Vivi can't figure out a way to get rid of him, but Chloe is determined to do so.
But it's the backstory that is the most interesting -- of what went on twelve years ago and how it ties into things that are occurring today. It's suspenseful and fun, and when the ending comes it's all worth the wait. I truly enjoyed this book and can't wait to read the next in the series. Recommended.
I was given a copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley but this in no way influenced my review.
More on Sherry Harris's Books: https://www.fantasticfiction.com/h/sherry-harris/
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