Clam Wake by Mary Daheim: Review & Giveaway

  

Book Details:

Genre: Mystery

Published by: William Morrow

Publication Date: 8/12/2014

Number of Pages: 240

ISBN: 9780062317728

Purchase Links:

Synopsis:
Innkeeper and irrepressible sleuth Judith McMonigle Flynn and cousin Renie face off against a cold-blooded killer in a beach community in this delightfully charming Bed-and-Breakfast mystery from USA Today and New York Times bestselling author Mary Daheim.

With the holidays gone and Hillside Manor almost empty, Innkeeper Judith McMonigle Flynn has a bad case of the blues. A housesitting stint at her aunt and uncle’s retirement home on Whoopee Island with cousin Renie seems like the ideal pick-me-up. Surrounded by retirees in the off-season sounds peaceful and pleasant--or so the duo thinks. But it isn’t long before a dead body pops up in their vicinity. Not surprising in an area full of older folks—until they learn it wasn’t a bad ticker that did in the victim, but a very sharp knife. With clouds of suspicion hovering over her and Renie, Judith reluctantly begins sleuthing—if only to prove they didn’t commit the crime.

But what she finds is puzzling. The victim reputedly didn’t have an enemy in the world--except for the killer. Digging for clams and answers, the cousins discover that retirement can be deadly—at least among the eclectic, eccentric residents of Obsession Shores.

Tortie Shorties

Book reviews that are short and sweet...just like Truffles!

Prior to Clam Wake I had only read one previous book in Mary Daheim's Bed & Breakfast mystery series, and I remember being so confused by the number of characters and various tangential storylines that by the end I was ready to tear my hair out. I'm happy to say that I didn't have that feeling this time around, but I do think it would be most enjoyable to someone who has more of a familiarity with the characters and their various relationships and histories. This is, after all, a very long-running series.

That being said, I did find much to enjoy in this book. My favorite characters in cozies are usually the elderly folks, and Clam Wake is chock full of them! The Obsession Shores retirement home is rich in eccentric elders and life is certainly never boring there. I also like books set in seaside locales and the descriptions of Whoopee Island are so vivid that I could imagine myself digging for clams while smelling the seaside air. Judith and Renie are entertaining as always, and I have a feeling these two ladies still have many adventures awaiting them!

Giveaway: Leave a comment by noon eastern on Wednesday, August 20th for your chance to win a copy of Clam Wake. (US entries only, please.)

About the author: Seattle native Mary Richardson Daheim lives three miles from the house where she was raised. From her dining nook she can see the maple tree in front of her childhood home. Mary isn’t one for change when it comes to geography. Upon getting her journalism degree from the University of Washington (she can see the campus from the dining nook, too), she went to work for a newspaper in Anacortes WA. Then, after her marriage to David Daheim, his first college teaching post was in Port Angeles where she became a reporter for the local daily. Both tours of small-town duty gave her the background for the Alpine/Emma Lord series.

Mary spent much of her non-fiction career in public relations (some would say PR is fiction, too). But ever since she learned how to read and write, Mary wanted to tell stories that could be put between book covers (e-readers were far into the future and if she hadn’t seen her daughter’s iPad, she might not know they exist). Thus, she began her publishing career with the first of seven historical romances before switching to mysteries in 1991. If Mary could do the math, she’d know how many books she’s published. Since she can’t, she estimates the total is at least 55. Or something. See below—count ‘em if you can.

At the time of her husband and mentor’s death in February 2010, David and Mary had been married for over 43 years. They have three daughters, Barbara, Katherine and Magdalen, and two granddaughters, Maisy and Clara. They all live in Seattle, too. Those apples don’t move far from the tree…literally.

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