Torn Asunder
Maine Clambake Mystery #12
By Barbara Ross
ISBN 9781496735737
Author’s Website: barbararossauthor.com
Brought to you by OBS Reviewer Jeanie
Synopsis:
A short boat ride from Busman’s Harbor, Maine, Morrow Island is a perfect spot for a wedding—and a Snowden Family Clambake. Julia Snowden is busy organizing both—until a mysterious wedding crasher drops dead amid the festivities . . .
Julia’s best friend and business partner, Zoey, is about to marry her policeman boyfriend. Of course, a gorgeous white wedding dress shouldn’t be within fifty yards of a plate of buttery lobster—so that treat is reserved for the rehearsal dinner. Julia is a little worried about the timing, though, as she works around a predicted storm.
When a guest falls to the floor dead, it turns out that no one seems to know who he is, despite the fact that he’s been actively mingling and handing out business cards. And when an injection mark is spotted on his neck, it’s clear this wasn’t caused by a shellfish allergy. Now, as the weather deteriorates and a small group is stranded on the island with the body—and the killer—Julia starts interrogating staff, family members, and Zoey’s artist friends to find out who turned the clambake into a crime scene . . . (From Goodreads)
Review:
It was wonderful to be in Maine again with the Snowden family and friends! I was invited into their story at the beginning and my attention was held throughout. The characters are well-represented by their conversations, actions, and reactions throughout, and I felt as if I even knew some of the wedding guests by the end of the story.
“Grab life. Grab love. Whenever you can.” (Julia Snowden’s mother, on an extraordinary day)
It was the first wedding in seven years to be scheduled at Windsholme, on Morrow Island, in Maine. The Snowden Family Clambake is held there throughout the summer. Zoey, the bride, and Julia’s best friend, is the owner of Lupine Design in Busman’s Harbor. Julia is now her business partner and the business manager. Zoey’s fiancé is Jamie, Julia’s lifelong friend and neighbor. Julia is thrilled for both of them.
Zoey, a brilliant potter and designer, has been part of the art world most of her life. Most of her guests were those she met or studied under throughout her career. She had no living blood relatives, and had made friends she now considered the family she has chosen, mostly from the art community and in Busman’s Harbor.
The rehearsal and rehearsal dinner were held the day before the wedding. Some of the closest friends and family of both bride and groom joined them at the rehearsal dinner. After the cocktail hour, they served the traditional Snowden Family Clambake meal. The only possible challenge was a storm coming in.
The entrees had barely landed on the tables when a guest suddenly struggled to breathe, then collapsed. Several police officers were present: Jamie, Julia’s boyfriend Tom, and Pete, Jamie’s best friend and partner. All rushed to help him. Someone thought he had an allergic reaction, but an EpiPen didn’t help, nor did CPR. The stranger at the dinner was dead.
When the anticipated storm neared, they sent the guests back to the mainland via the Clambake’s tourist boat. As the storm hit, the men moved the body inside a room that wouldn’t be used while they waited for the coast guard to pick up the remains. The intensity of the storm grew and the coast guard called back. They couldn’t come until the following day, as they were inundated with calls from people that had to take priority.
When they rolled the man’s body to see if he had ID, Jamie noticed a needle stick behind his ear. They learned he was Kendall Clarkson from California. Suddenly, the cell phone signals and power were lost. The generator would handle the lights, refrigerators, and freezers, but there was no way to contact anyone. The wedding party, Julia’s family, and several others would be alone until the next day. And the murderer might still be there.
Tom, with the State Police Major Crimes unit, Jamie, his best man Pete, both with Busman’s Bay PD, and Julia would begin to question the people who were still there. Even though several of the wedding party were from California, none of the wedding party admitted to knowing him. Neither Julia nor Jamie had seen him on the invitation list.
Everybody has secrets, and it took several sessions of questions before people would give up their secrets. Even Zoey had a secret, and she finally revealed to Julia who the man was and that she had invited him. Somehow, she has to tell Jamie. Likewise, Jamie has to tell Zoey that since the man was murdered, the police may not let their wedding happen until their investigation is complete.
This was an incredibly fascinating mystery with many heavy emotions. There were more twists and turns than an amusement park ride. Julia helped both Jamie and Tom with investigations in the past, and they knew she was often successful at getting people to open up. She was paired with Tom when he questioned guests. There were several suspects, all of whom were still on the island.
I enjoyed this novel tremendously, and was all in for Zoey and Jamie getting married, the next day, as scheduled. I was stumped by this mystery, as several secrets revealed several motives for murder. The solution to the murder was satisfactory, if not sad. I fully appreciated the final chapter with all the updates, and highly recommend this mystery and series.
