Book Review: The Last Death of the Year (New Hercule Poirot Mysteries, #6) by Sophie Hannah

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The Last Death of the Year (New Hercule Poirot Mysteries, #6)  by Sophie Hannah and Agatha Christie  opens with Hercule Poirot and Inspector Edward Catchpool arriving on the island of Lamperos in Greece on New Year's Eve in 1932. Poirot has been requested by the leader of a religious community to investigate the threat against one of its members, but just a short while later, another resident is found dead after a New Year's game threatened this member's life. I'd like to thank NetGalley and William Morrow for approving my request for an Advanced Readers Copy (ARC) of this mystery. I've been a long time fan of Agatha Christie and her Hercule Poirot series, so learning I'd receive a copy of Sophie Hannah's new book based on this series made me absolutely giddy. A digital copy was provided to me in exchange for my honest review. Sophie Hannah has done a fabulous job of recreating Agatha Christie's Hercule Poirot series and keeping a similar style of writin...
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Book Review: Clammed Up (Maine Clambake Mystery, #1) by Barbara Ross

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Cozy Mystery Book Review of Clammed Up (Maine Clambake Mystery, #1) by Barbara Ross
Clammed Up (Maine Clambake Mystery, #1) by Barbara Ross is the first book in a charming cozy mystery series set around a family-owned clambake business on a picturesque Maine island. When Julia Snowden returns to Busman’s Harbor to help her mother, sister, and brother-in-law run the family business, she discovers a shocking crime ... a corpse hanging from the banister of their summer home. The local police shut down the clambake, leaving everyone wondering: who is the killer, and can the Snowden Clambake survive while the investigation unfolds?

Barbara Ross proves herself as a phenomenal storyteller in Clammed Up. Her vivid descriptions and engaging narrative made me feel as though I was watching the story unfold like a movie. I was completely captivated by the Maine Clambake Mystery series from the very first page.

The book is packed with twists and turns that kept me guessing until the very end. Although I could rule out a few suspects who appear in later books, the identity of the real culprit still took me by surprise. Ross’s character development is excellent, and the backstories make the small town of Busman’s Harbor feel alive ... a tight-knit community cautious of outsiders, which felt authentic based on my own experiences visiting small towns.

Ross also does a beautiful job bringing Maine to life, from its rugged coastline to its cozy, community-driven towns. After reading Clammed Up, I’m inspired to explore Maine, especially its scenic coastal regions.

I give Clammed Up (Maine Clambake Mystery, #1) a full five out of five stars. This cozy mystery series is one of the best in the genre, offering suspense, charm, and a sense of place that’s hard to beat. Fans of cozy mysteries, small-town whodunits, and Maine-inspired settings will fall in love with this series just like I did.

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