User Reviews
Rating: really liked it
Another wonderful book in the charming and amusing cozy series, Seaside Café Mysteries, written by Bree Baker -- Closely Harbored Secrets. It's Halloween. There's a secret from two-hundred years ago. Something connected w/ Everly Swan's family tree is about to be revealed. And Aunt Fran's mayoral race is close to voting day. What a superb installment!
Maps and ancient curses, but what they have to do with one another is very murky. Everly stumbles upon her fifth dead body, and this time its her hands being coated with the victim's blood. A walking ghost tour should've been fun; instead it leads to personal disaster for Everly. Detective [Hottie] Grady can't deal with Everly's constant connections to the murder investigations - the ones the island's never seen before until she returned home. He's a broken man, and Everly runs to someone else!
What kind of trouble does this spell? Too much, and I was wavering mid-book on where to go next... but Baker pulls you back in with the magical spells of romance and suspense. A thrilling finish connected to the home's previous owner, a story we knew from previous books was begging to be told. Really enjoyed this one. 4.5 stars, and now I'm ready for the 6th book which was released (coincidentally) on this very day! I will get cracking on it next month too.
Rating: really liked it
This is the fifth book in Bree Baker's Seaside Café Mystery series. It's almost Halloween on the picturesque island of Charm, North Carolina, and tea shop owner Everly Swan is helping her aunts host their annual haunted historic walking tour. But what should have been a fun evening filled with some good-natured spooks quickly turns into a nightmare when an actor is murdered during the tour. To make matters worse, the victim scratched Everly's name into the ground before she died, making her a suspect. Everly is determined to get to the bottom of things, especially when someone, possibly the killer, starts following her and leaving threatening messages.
I thought this was a great addition to the Seaside Café Mystery series. This is wonderful series, with interesting characters, puzzling mysteries, and strong themes of family, friendship, and community. As always, I enjoyed catching up with the characters and spending time on the lovely little island of Charm. It was fun learning more about the town's rich history and Everly's ancestors. As for the mystery, I thought it was fast-paced and it kept me on my toes. I loved the role the supernatural played in the story.
Overall, I'm happy with the way things are going for Everly and the people in her life and can't wait to see what more is in store for these characters.
Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Rating: really liked it
A Seaside Cafe story is always a deliciously refreshing treat to read! The book contains interesting historical items and facts that are fun to read about. The main characters are appealing, and protagonist, Everly Swan, is still attracted to the handsome Homicide Detective Grady Hays. Everly seems to be a murder magnet, and in this fifth installment, an unpleasant family adversary who seeks rare maps in hopes of locating treasure, dramatically meets her Maker and Everly is an instant suspect. Rumors fly like the flag with a skull and crossbones that someone is copycatting a ghost pirate nicknamed ‘The Sandman’, who leaves scattered sand along with written warnings for Everly to back off investigating the latest crime scene.
I enjoyed all the lovely descriptions of the fall decor and seasonal touches the author sprinkled into the storyline. The story moves at a brisk clip, and humor is mingled throughout. When the killer is unmasked, I was surprised; however, it then made perfect sense. This is a fantastic story and a fantastic series that all cozy readers will love! The author also shares yummy recipes with her readers!
I reviewed a digital arc provided by NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press. Thank you. All opinions are my own.
Rating: really liked it
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Halloween means a big celebration in Charm, North Carolina that includes a haunted walking tour. Clara and Fran Swan have key roles in the event and Everly is providing tea and treats for those attending. The night of the walk Everly joins her aunt’s group to hear ghost stories she has heard repeated several times but her aunt always adds something new. This year the something new is a dead body. Dixie Wetherill was to be playing the part of a local legend but when she misses her cue, a quick search finds Dixie dead with Everly’s name spelled out in the ground beside her.
Detective Grady Hays has to follow the evidence even if that means investigating his girlfriend. But then Everly receives several threatening messages. The messages appear to be from the legendary ghost pirate, The Sandman. Threats that are meant to scare Everly only make her mad and set her off on her own investigation to catch the real killer. Although finding that person just may get her killed . . .
What a wonderfully written spooky mystery!
Charm, North Carolina has a rich history and the stories that have come from that history can be downright chilling, especially on a Halloween Haunted Walking Tour. Ms. Baker paints some eerie pictures with her words. I felt like I was right there to enjoy the event and as the body was found. It was so easy to visualize. Her descriptions throughout the story kept me right there at every scene.
The author also breathes great life into each of her characters and she keeps them busy too. In addition to the Halloween festivities, the mayor’s race is right around the corner and Everly is pulling out all the stops to help her Aunt Fran win. Grady is dealing with some family issues that could create havoc in his already complicated relationship with Everly. Everly is busy concocting new tea drinks and running her shop along with a little home renovation. And then, there is that murder and the threats against Everly that has everyone worried. Bree Baker’s development of all her characters is top-notch.
The mystery is very well-plotted and sets a nice pace that really ratchets up as we get to the big reveal. It was so exciting. Again, the descriptive writing style had me feel like I was watching a movie. I could see all the action so clearly. I truly was on the edge of my seat and may have even been holding my breath.
This Halloween story was a terrific treat! Closely Harbored Secrets blends a fascinating mystery with fabulous characters. There is a light paranormal element or two and that just adds to the fun. Charm, Blessed Bee, and the Sun, Sand, and Tea are places I can’t wait to visit again.
Rating: really liked it
This is another enjoyable addition to the Seaside Cafe Mystery series set in Charm on the Outer Banks of North Carolina with likable, interesting characters, a great island setting with a rich history of pirates and treasures, and a murder mystery to solve. It is Halloween week and the story begins with a Ghost Walk along the island led by Clara Swan with different stops along the way. Everly Swan owns a tea shop in her Victorian home and is supplying food for the event. All is going well until one of the character ghosts is found injured and then dies at one of the stops on the walk. Everly S is written in the dirt by her. Everly didn't even know the victim, Dixie Wetherill, but she is still a suspect. Detective Grady Hays, a very close friend of Everly's, has to investigate and Everly cannot resist helping him against his wishes. Dixie is not well liked so a lot of people could have wanted her dead, including someone she outbid for a collectable book, and others. Someone is leaving clues around threatening Everly and all seem to be from a man dead almost two hundred years. In addition to layers of clues, all is not well between Grady and Everly but someone is waiting to date Everly. Everly's aunts Clara and Fran are busy with their bee products shop and Fran is running for mayor with some stiff opponents. Everly's best friend and book shop owner, Amelia, has a new children book and release party. There's never a dull moment in Charm and this is a story that kept me interested to the end. Looking forward to the next one.
I received a complimentary ARC from Poisoned Pen Press through NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine only.
Rating: really liked it
5th book in a series, but I was able to follow along with minimal effort.
I thought this was a cute cozy mystery. I was able to get lost in the story and liked the characters. I thought it was fun, but it’s best for October because of the Halloween vibes. Definitely a cute story I think cozy mystery fans will enjoy,
Rating: really liked it
This story had both ghosts and murderers. On Aunt Fran and Aunt Clara's annual haunted historical walking tour, which consisted of actors dressed up as ghosts, one of the ghost actor ends up dead. As usual, Everly stumbles upon the dead person who has carved her name on the ground before she died. Grady is not pleased that Everly is involved in another murder, this time, unintentionally. Even Everly is surprised as to why the murder victim had written her name with her last breath. And it was known that the murder victim was not very fond of the Swan family. So that triggers Everly to do some research on the victim's background, which opened the Pandora's box. And in true style of this series, Everly is threatened multiple times (this time by a ghost sailor), with the spookiness level being just the right amount.
We also see Aunt Fran running for Mayor and competing with Mary Grace and Grady's mother-in-law. All the regular characters were present in the book but I must say I missed seeing Ryan. Maggie and Lou were adorable, always helping Everly from danger. The mystery was good but the romance angle was also explored. So this book was perfect, in the sense, it was 50-50. I have to say that I was bit shocked about the route the romance took about half-way through the book. But I'm glad everything turned out to be perfectly right towards the end, both the mystery and the Everly's romance. I'm getting curious and curious-er now as to who the Town Charmer is. I think I know who it is but I could be wrong. With every book, I feel the author would reveal who the person is but I guess I have to keep reading on to find out. All in all, this book made me laugh and cry and laugh more :D
My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an opportunity to read and review this book.
Rating: really liked it
Cosy, entertaining, and atmospheric!
Closely Harbored Secrets is a whimsical, murder mystery set in Charm, North Carolina that features Everly Swan, a tea shop owner who after stumbling upon a murder victim lying on the sand during the annual historic haunted walk joins together with the handsome, reluctant, Detective Hays to try and solve this baffling case that seems to revolve around ancient maps, old legends, and long-lost treasure.
The writing style is light and witty. The characters are unique, impulsive, and endearing. And the plot is a well-paced whodunit full of amateur sleuthing, red herrings, suspects, deduction, attraction, community, scrumptious treats, and small-town living.
Closely Harbored Secrets is the fifth book in the Seaside Café Mystery series, and if you love cosy mysteries with a touch of romance this novel won’t disappoint. It is a quirky, enjoyable, fun read that is the first novel I’ve read by Baker but undoubtedly won’t be my last.
Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
Rating: really liked it
Bree Baker’s
Closely Harbored Secrets is an entertaining and spooky cosy. This is the fifth entry in the Seaside Café Mystery series but it works as a standalone. I love the picturesque setting, the eerie atmosphere, and the interesting mystery. However, the writing can be distractingly choppy and the characters are sometimes inconsistent.
It’s almost Halloween in Charm and our protagonist Everly Swan has stumbled into another mystery! While helping her aunts with their annual haunted historic walking tour, Everly discovers the body of Dixie Wetherill. She was the actress portraying one of the island’s most popular legends. Everly becomes a key suspect because Dixie scratched Everly’s name into the ground before she died. Everly’s plate is already overflowing as she’s helping her aunt with the local mayoral elections, running her iced tea-shop, and figuring out her complicated relationship with her crush Detective Grady Hays. However, things turn deadly when a ghostly sailor from local legends begins leaving threatening messages for Everly…
The well-paced plot is interesting with great suspense and viable suspects. I love the spooky atmosphere and the role that the supernatural played! Charm’s history is fascinating and well-written. I like that I couldn’t guess the killer’s identity until nearly the end. The killer’s motives made sense and were well-thought out. There are a few subplots but they are nicely done and fit well. I especially liked reading about Everly’s beloved Aunt Fran’s run for Mayor.
This is a great cast of interesting, memorable, and realistic characters. I love the warm feelings of family, friendship, and community. Everly is a relatable protagonist as she struggles with her annoying fitness bracelet, whips up delicious confections, and snoops! I love Everly’s fun Aunts Fran and Clara. There is a lot of romantic drama but it nicely complements the main plot. I like Matt, the sweet and hunky paramedic who catches Everly’s eye. However, I’m no longer a fan of Everly’s relationship with brooding Grady. I am tired of the will they or won’t they between them. It’s time that they become a couple or Everly moves on. Moreover, the characters, especially Everly and Grady, sometimes act inconsistently. Grady is also a bit flat in this book.
I love the wonderfully written description of Charm and small-island life as well the yummy food and fun Fall festivities. However, the book really could have used some editing as the transitions are sometimes distractingly choppy, abrupt, and a bit confusing.
Closely Harbored Secrets is a great cosy Halloween read. Although I wish the characters and writing were a little stronger, I enjoyed this fun and spooky book.
Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for this book in exchange for an honest review.
🎃🎃🎃🎃 out of 5 jack o’ lanterns!
Rating: really liked it
If I had to choose one series to be the definition of a cozy, it would be this one. I love spending time in Charm with Everly and crew. This might be my favorite so far, I totally feel like I am there. I love Everly's relationship with her aunts and the community that they are part of. I would HIGHLY recommend you read this series if you haven't already, and I would also recommend to read in order.
Rating: really liked it
I loved this book! I loved the history and the bit of spookiness that it contained. It is just a fun read! Everly Swan is a great character and the aunts were amazing!
My only problem is that it took me awhile to get into the story. I really think that I need to go back and read the first 4 installments.
Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the opportunity to read and review this book.
Rating: really liked it
This is a cozy mystery novel in the Seaside Cafe Mystery series. It is book five that follows the same protagonists as previous books. Delightful read in this genre that I read "for real" this year. As a matter of fact, this author was my first foray into the cozies. I enjoy her writing style whether it is as Bree Baker or as Julie Anne Lindsey.
In this one, we follow the same simple pattern of Everly stumbling on a murder scene and then discovering who the killer is. The setting of this book in a small town in Otter Banks is charming and picturesque. There are many interesting side characters throughout the series.
I was a little put off by yet another "love triangle". I wanted Everly and Grady to finally move somewhere in their relationship. These two seem to go one step forward two steps back.
I would recommend this series to all readers of the genre.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Rating: really liked it
I am so happy I finally decided to binge read this series. Everly is one of those characters that I just instantly liked. She is a magnet for dead bodies, but she is strong and independent, even if she is also a bit stubborn as well. I also like where things are headed between her and Grady. The secondary cast of characters are delightful and some a bit quirky. The mystery was a page turner and kept me guessing. Everly came a bit too close for comfort to serious injury in this book. Let's hope she isn't in as much danger in the next book.
Rating: really liked it
I love this series!!
Rating: really liked it
I have dipped in and out of this series and kicked things off in book 2 with
No Good Tea Goes Unpunished, followed by book three
Tide and Punishment. I have yet to read book one,
Live and Let Chai and book four,
A Call For Kelp. In this one,
Closely Harbored Secrets, the fifth instalment in
Bree Baker's Seaside Café Mystery series, protagonist Everly Swan is closing her seaside café and iced tea shop, Sun, Sand and Tea early to help out her great aunts with their annual Halloween haunted walking tour. However, when one of the ghostly actors playing a local legend is found dead, Everly becomes the main suspect as her name was scratched into the dirt nearby.
What highly entertaining mix of mystery and mayhem! This wonderful cozy mystery, set on the small island of Charm, North Carolina was both compelling and enjoyable. It made perfect reading for me between other more intense novels. It was funny, witty and quirky with a fantastic plot. The characters were very well drawn by
Bree Baker, and I especially liked Everly’s great-aunts, Clara and Fran for their spirit-lifting moments.
This book was a great package of fun and excitement and it was a perfect book to enjoy with a drink of specially blended tea and a homemade scrumptious treat or two. I really appreciated the clever writing from
Bree Baker in this novel which kept me intrigued right to the end. The conclusion was a surprise and the author did a wonderful job wrapping up the story.
With its great story and wonderful characters, I would recommend
Closely Harbored Secrets to all cozy mystery lovers out there who are wanting an easy weekend read. I hope it won't be very long before I'm back visiting Charm and Sun, Sand and Tea.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Poisoned Pen Press via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.
