By Liz Soares
Julia Snowden has returned home to Busman’s Harbor, Maine, with an ambitious goal: to save her family’s clambake business. For generations, the Snowdens have ferried tourists to Morrow Island—property inherited by Julia’s mother—where guests enjoy a classic Downeast feast of chowder, lobster, clams, and corn cooked over an outdoor fire. By the time blueberry grunt is served, visitors feel they’ve experienced quintessential coastal Maine.
Though still popular, the clambakes are struggling in an economic downturn. Julia believes the trouble began after her father’s death, when her brother-in-law Sonny took over the business. Armed with her New York City venture-capital experience, Julia returns home to refinance the bank loan and revitalize the operation, including the addition of a wedding venue on the island.
Those plans are abruptly derailed when a body is discovered hanging in the island’s old mansion. With Morrow Island now a crime scene, the future of the clambake business—and Julia’s family home—are suddenly in jeopardy. Is the closure temporary, or will the Snowdens’ treasured enterprise come to an end?
As if things weren’t complicated enough, Julia’s personal life becomes entangled in her return home. Her old friend Jamie, now a town police officer, may have a romantic interest in her, while Julia realizes she still harbors feelings for Chris, the crush she never quite left behind. These relationships add warmth and gentle tension without overwhelming the mystery.
Clammed Up, which is the first book in Ross’s “Maine Clambake Mysteries” series, is an excellent example of a well-crafted cozy mystery. The stakes are personal rather than grim, the pacing is steady, and the Maine setting (based on Boothbay Harbor) feels authentic and lovingly drawn. As a bonus, the novel includes recipes for some of the tempting dishes featured in the story, such as lobster mac and cheese and clam hash. A yummy experience all around!
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