New Corpse in Town (Secret Seal Isle Mysteries Book 1)

This is is a charming romantic mystery tale. Set in a small town an FBI agent who is laying low for awhile, contacts her former partner when a body shows up .

The sleuth's family is slightly odd, but that adds to their characters.

All in all, a good beginning to a new mystery series.

Enjoy Lucy Quinn books remmonad toy friends inu book club. Enjoy reading . Characters arre believed.look for more books in the same. Romance and mystery.will look for the same. Will keep reading. Love to reading. ??

New Corpse in Town (Secret Seal Isle Mysteries Book 1)

Welcome to the wonderful world of Cozy Mysteries, the multi-author, multi-genre series of stand alone stories for the mystery buff with an open mind and a sense of humour as a new author name joins an illustrious group of writers - Hello Lucy Quinn. And hello to a brand new contemporary series under the Cozy banner as 'New Corpse in Town', the first book in her Secret Seal Isle Mysteries starts out with some serious flirting followed almost immediately by the screaming. This is a terrific start to the new series, and although I'm a confirmed Cozy addict, the series and authors are all different to each other so I had no idea what to expect from this book, but I was hooked and laughing from beginning to end as the long-suffering heroine and her former partner at the FBI, investigate the death of the local 'wannabe' whilst trying, not particularly successfully, to reign in the antics of a totally off-the-wall born-again hippy in the form of our heroine's mother. Embarrassed doesn't even begin to cover it...

Having moved to Secret Seal Isle (Pop. 347), somewhere remote (think 'plane, smaller 'plane, helicopter, boat, car, walk) off the coast of Maine, in an effort to protect her mother and herself from mob retribution, Cookie James (not her real name) is taking a long, and probably permanent, leave of absence from the FBI, has bought the Secret Seal Inn and settled down to a life of non-crime. Unfortunately, it doesn't last long. Cookie is admiring the view... of the handyman Dylan, and indulging in a little hot but harmless flirting when the peace is shattered by screaming and the appearance of Cookie's mother, who renamed herself, I love it... Rain Forest, running up the hill from the cove below, wet, completely topless and horrified that she'd almost been drowned... by a dead man. And that's just the beginning....

I'm not giving spoilers here, and I absolutely loved this book with it's humour and terrific cast of characters from salty old sea dogs to the local drug dealer as well as some whacky individuals including Rain and her old friend Winter Sage, the book is simply overflowing with suspects and was laugh out loud funny. There's lots of sizzling chemistry between Cookie and the men, as well as some serious testosterone fuelled rivalry, but if you're hoping for hot and steamy bits, you're not going to get them. At least not from Cookie, and she has a choice to make....

I loved it. Well written in the third person, the story moves along at a good pace so it's easy to keep up with all the twists and turns, as well as building up the character's backgrounds and personalities. It had me in stitches and I was still chuckling at the end. I'm really looking forward to reading the next book in this terrific new series. I can't wait.

It has an incredible, storyline that will have you glued to the pages!. The characters are awesome.
Former FBI agent Cookie James is on an extended leave from her agency. She and her quirky Mother move to the Secret Seal Isle. There they open the Secret Seal Inn. Cookies Mother is a free love hippy style woman. Cookie does not mind managing the Inn as she has some sexy eye candy in the handyman Dylan Creed. While she is on the porch flirting with Dylan a woman comes screaming towards them topless!. It turns out to be Cookies Mother lol. It seems Cookies Mother had been on the beach sunbathing when she decided to go in the Ocean. There she ends up on top of a dead man!. Cookie gets upset when she contacted the local police and they just blew off the case. So she calls her hot ex.partner Hunter to come help. Now she does not only have a mystery but she has a sexy handyman, a hot ex.partner, and a quirky flirty Mother. Yep she has her hands full lol!.
This book is so exciting, hilarious, and steamy hot with lots of mystery!. You will love it!. It is a 5-star plus book!.

Who wouldn't love Cookie James and her mother, Rain? I was laughing out loud at parts of the story and getting odd looks from my family. I definitely want to read more books in this series. I have to learn more about Dylan and see if Hunter figures out what is really important.

I enjoyed reading this story, it was well written and held my attention wonderfully... It has potential!

The reason I'm giving this book 4 stars is because of a few things that bugged me throughout the story.

While it's an interesting read with a clear plot line, the main character is supposed to be around late 20's early 30's but acts like a love struck teen at times. There are 2 guys she finds hot, one being her ex partner in the FBI and the other a local handyman with a mystery back story. These guys quarrel a lot all because of her and it's kinda played out like a YA love triangle. The best way I can explain it is teens trying to act like adults...?

Another issue I've come across is that she's ex FBI. They're rigorously trained, yet even though she's in hiding from a mob boss she kept her cell phone. And uses it several times calling old contacts. Contacts that end up meeting her at her new address. I mean come on, being trained by the FBI she should know that's a big no no. If this mob boss is such a badass that she has to hide, wouldn't it follow that he may be watching her last known acquaintances, and her cell number? I bet they find her in the next book...

Also, being that 2 FBI agents are investigating a murder, why aren't they following any investigative procedures? Dusting for prints, wearing gloves when touching everything at a possible murder scene, looking for blood.. These sort of things get bypassed in this book.

Another thing... The fact that she is in hiding, yet goes and questions all the suspects is just off. Everyone is supposed to just let the Inn keeper they've known all of a few weeks interrogate them? But it's ok because the FBI guy says she has past law experience.

Not to mention her pothead mom that acts like she's regressed to an immature tween. Cookie gets angry a lot with her "young again" mother, but nothing ever comes from it except a head shake. I know there are cases where parents do this type of thing causing the child to parent them, it just gets so annoying in this story. Mainly because we the reader are in Cookie's thoughts and read about her complaining about her mom so much. ?

I think after all that, I'm being rather generous with a 4 star review. The redeeming factor is how the story just kept its momentum even with its flaws. Plus I'd like to know the handyman's back story. I will read the next in the series only for that, but I hope it gets better.

This was a quick read for a trip. It was amusing, but had no deep plot line and the characters were exactly who I thought they were.
There was a quiet "twist" in the book, but it was more the use of the reader's incomplete knowledge than a play on characters. Easy beach read - nothing more.

FBI agent Cookie James is on hiatus from her job and running an inn on Secret Seale Isle. Life is pretty simple until her hippie, rebellious mother finds a dead body in the water. Lacking confidence in the local sheriff, Cookie calls in her ex-partner, the handsome and sexy Hunter O’Neil. Meanwhile, she’s beginning to wonder if some of the locals are suspects, including the equally gorgeous handyman, Dylan Creed.

New Corpse in Town is a fun cozy that is as much romance as it is mystery. The romantic components provide most of the tension and angst in this novel, which is fine by me. I could see why Cookie is torn between returning to her old life, despite the risks, and staying put to develop new possibilities with Dylan. The author captures the appeal of both men well. While the plot is a little thin on suspects, the characters and setting are terrific. Mystery fans who enjoy romantic entanglements in a story will love this one.

New Corpse in Town Secret Seal Isle Mysteries Book 1
by Lucy Quinn
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I enjoyed this storyline of mystery, It is an interesting story. Lucy Quinn is a very talented storyteller. This a fantastic story she has given us! I love reading it, I'm not a mystery romance fan but this held my attention. The characters are realistic and its full of emotion, and suspense. I like reading a story that the main characters have a little more tension between them and they have something special about their romance, but this is a mystery with very little romance , which added layers of suspense to the plot, and had me wondering all the way through what was what. It wasn't obvious which character or if there was a case until the final pages that all the ends were tied up (in a most satisfactory manner, I might add). It’s a combination of strong characters, exciting plot, and a budding romance—if only Cookie can get over her past, and Dylan can rediscover his.
It’s no secret that I haven't read a lot romantic mysteries as its not my favourite genre. But New Corpse in Town Secret Seal Isle is an excellent romantic mystery debut, and I’ll certainly be looking forward to reading more from Lucy Quinn. This is my first time reading this author, but not my last. I feel privileged that I was given the chance to read this book by Lucy Quinn for my honest opinion in a review. I have to say this again, I really enjoyed the characters and storyline.

This is a great addition to your TBR list and your library. A MUST READ!
If you believe in romance then your possibilities are endless and fascinating!

Cookie James, a former FBI agent, needed a change in her life for reasons beyond her control. She and her hippie mother, Rain, move to Secret Seal Isle off the coast of Maine. They buy, renovate, and run the only inn on the island. Just as they are expecting their first guests, Rain stumbles upon a dead body. The small-town deputy has no care to investigate the case, but Cookie's FBI instincts will not let her leave it unsolved. She calls her former partner, Hunter O'neill in for help. There has always been an attraction between Cookie and Hunter, but certain lines could not be crossed as partners. Now, that they no longer work together, the desire burns a little brighter. But, just before Hunter came back into her life, she had been flirting with the island's handy-man, who is witty and msterious. Cookie has to decide which man, and ultimately what kind of life she wanted, all while trying to investigate a murder, and tryi g to keep up with her mom's wild antics.
This cozy mystery was so much fun, the perfect summer read. It was an easy, enjoyable read, humorous, intriguing, and I found myself smiling quite often. While, there is a lot of attraction, flirting, and desire, it is completely clean. Rain is a hoot, such a fun character. I love the setting of the story on the smalltown island, and especially the inn itself. I used to read a lot of cozies, but lately have been reading much more paranormal/fantasy, etc, but this book definitely makes me want to get back into cozies, and I will certainly be reading the rest of this series.

I received this from one of the author's that are writing in this shared pen name for an honest review. I have to say that I was skeptical about reading the story. I am not a fan of mystery or suspense genre. It did take me a while to get into the book. However, it had nothing to do with how it was written. I really enjoy both of the authors that are writing as Lucy Quinn and really enjoyed the book once I was able to get into it. It was a little slow going at the start and I personally wanted something to happen quickly. I finally got some steamy sexual tension from a couple people in the book. Plus there was a lot of humor in the book that I would have missed if it wasn't in it.

Cookie seems to be missing her old life but is actually moving forward by the end of the book. We find out some of why she went to Secret Seal Isle in the first place. Not enough for my liking but I enjoy knowing everything up front about main characters since I emotionally invest in them. I enjoyed the thought process that she has while working a case and also running her business. She is a no-nonsense kind of person but with a wicked sense of humor.

Rain, Cookie’s mom, is a hoot! I personally wish there was more of her in the book but since it is a starter for the series I am ok with not seeing a lot of her because she does seem to be a lot to handle.

I would recommend checking this out if you enjoy Deanna Chase and V. Vaughn books because it is a perfect balance of them both. It is available at all retail outlets.

Love triangle with a side of murder mystery. Cookie James is an ex FBI agent on the wrong side of some very dangerous criminals. What does she do? She and her mom buy a quaint inn on the tiny Secret Seal Isle. Enter Dylan Creed, the handyman that is as capable as he is handsome. So begins her quiet seaside life until a dead guy washes onto her shore. Seeing the investigation going nowhere. Cookie phones a friend, Hunter O'Neil the ex FBI partner.
The dead man is disliked by everyone. This keeps the reader guessing ' who done it' until the very end of the book. Now that's a perfect murder mystery to me.

This is a great book; this is the first book in the Secret Seal Isle Mystery series written by Lucy Quinn. FBI agent Cookie James is enjoying her extended leave from the agency on Secret Seal Isle, managing her quaint inn and flirting with the oh-so sexy-handyman, Dylan Creed, until her sixty-year-old mother goes skinny dipping and is almost drowned by a corpse. A phone call to the sheriff should mean the end of Cookie’s involvement, but when it’s clear the sheriff has no interest in the investigation, Cookie calls in reinforcements…her ex-partner Hunter O’Neil. Suddenly it’s like old times while the pair questions the residents of Secret Seal Isle. Except it’s not. Now she has both Hunter and Dylan vying for her attention, a wayward hippy mother, and a potential killer on the loose. This is a great book with a wonderful story and well developed characters. This book will keep you reading long into the night. If you are looking for a great book, then you need to read this book. I am looking forward to reading the next book by this great author. A Review copy was provided to me in exchange for a fair and honest review. The free book held no determination on my personal review.

Overall this story was good. I liked the mystery portion. I didn't like the romance side - the constant confusion between which man she wanted. Although there were no cliff hangers in this book, I felt like much of it was unresolved. The mystery comes to a complete conclusion, but which guy she choses seems quickly wrapped up. There is still no background given on the new guy, how he knows all the things he does, or who he really is. The problems she ran from are still unresolved. In that way the book felt unfinished.

On leave FBI agent hiding from the Philly mob. A mom who's a major pot head and a former partner still in the FBI come to help with a dead body in the middle of no where off the Main cost. A very different story line but well worth a read.

There are some story gaps I saw with the mob part of the story I'm hoping will be filled in by book 2 and is why the 4 stars but other wise it flows very well. I relate best with the sandwich shop owner which makes me think I need to work harder on my tough outer shell. I love the mother and her mood switches going from screaming about being almost drowned by a dead body to flirting with the handy man her daughter is talking too in the next breath then back to screaming. Also the fact she dopes the girl brought in to take care of her.

As to the murder story it fits a small town well. It kind of reminds me of a "Murder She Wrote" story line where you love everyone in the small town while they claim it this person or that person who killed the guy and in the end it's the person no one pointed at that did it. A very fun read and I look forward to the next book and will be looking at V. Vaughn's stories as I already read Dena Chase (not good at remembering names sorry).

I rather envy the main character who has two really sexy guys both chasing her! SadlyI did not care for the rebellious and somewhat promiscuous mother, and I did not feel that her character added any value to the story.

The investigative duo was very convincing and I will want to read more in the series to see how things evolve.

Pretty good storyline. Could have been a little heavier on the mystery and lighter on the romance , but that’s just my preference. It does leave you wanting to know what will happen in the next book.

I enjoyed this book and if I could have given a 3.5 I would have. This being the first in a new series I am sure the books to come will only get better and better. The book kept me going my only problem was that Cookie seemed to be written as more of a simple ex cop then a FBI agent hiding out from someone who wanted to do her harm. Her Mom Rain was just a tad over the top for me. Again if Cookie was trying to hide from a bad guy I would think she would be raining (ha ha) in her Mom a little more. But all that didn't keep me from enjoying this cozy mystery.

This is is a charming romantic mystery tale. Set in a small town an FBI agent who is laying low for awhile, contacts her former partner when a body shows up .

The sleuth's family is slightly odd, but that adds to their characters.

All in all, a good beginning to a new mystery series.

Enjoy Lucy Quinn books remmonad toy friends inu book club. Enjoy reading . Characters arre believed.look for more books in the same. Romance and mystery.will look for the same. Will keep reading. Love to reading. ??

New Corpse in Town (Secret Seal Isle Mysteries Book 1)

Welcome to the wonderful world of Cozy Mysteries, the multi-author, multi-genre series of stand alone stories for the mystery buff with an open mind and a sense of humour as a new author name joins an illustrious group of writers - Hello Lucy Quinn. And hello to a brand new contemporary series under the Cozy banner as 'New Corpse in Town', the first book in her Secret Seal Isle Mysteries starts out with some serious flirting followed almost immediately by the screaming. This is a terrific start to the new series, and although I'm a confirmed Cozy addict, the series and authors are all different to each other so I had no idea what to expect from this book, but I was hooked and laughing from beginning to end as the long-suffering heroine and her former partner at the FBI, investigate the death of the local 'wannabe' whilst trying, not particularly successfully, to reign in the antics of a totally off-the-wall born-again hippy in the form of our heroine's mother. Embarrassed doesn't even begin to cover it...

Having moved to Secret Seal Isle (Pop. 347), somewhere remote (think 'plane, smaller 'plane, helicopter, boat, car, walk) off the coast of Maine, in an effort to protect her mother and herself from mob retribution, Cookie James (not her real name) is taking a long, and probably permanent, leave of absence from the FBI, has bought the Secret Seal Inn and settled down to a life of non-crime. Unfortunately, it doesn't last long. Cookie is admiring the view... of the handyman Dylan, and indulging in a little hot but harmless flirting when the peace is shattered by screaming and the appearance of Cookie's mother, who renamed herself, I love it... Rain Forest, running up the hill from the cove below, wet, completely topless and horrified that she'd almost been drowned... by a dead man. And that's just the beginning....

I'm not giving spoilers here, and I absolutely loved this book with it's humour and terrific cast of characters from salty old sea dogs to the local drug dealer as well as some whacky individuals including Rain and her old friend Winter Sage, the book is simply overflowing with suspects and was laugh out loud funny. There's lots of sizzling chemistry between Cookie and the men, as well as some serious testosterone fuelled rivalry, but if you're hoping for hot and steamy bits, you're not going to get them. At least not from Cookie, and she has a choice to make....

I loved it. Well written in the third person, the story moves along at a good pace so it's easy to keep up with all the twists and turns, as well as building up the character's backgrounds and personalities. It had me in stitches and I was still chuckling at the end. I'm really looking forward to reading the next book in this terrific new series. I can't wait.

It has an incredible, storyline that will have you glued to the pages!. The characters are awesome.
Former FBI agent Cookie James is on an extended leave from her agency. She and her quirky Mother move to the Secret Seal Isle. There they open the Secret Seal Inn. Cookies Mother is a free love hippy style woman. Cookie does not mind managing the Inn as she has some sexy eye candy in the handyman Dylan Creed. While she is on the porch flirting with Dylan a woman comes screaming towards them topless!. It turns out to be Cookies Mother lol. It seems Cookies Mother had been on the beach sunbathing when she decided to go in the Ocean. There she ends up on top of a dead man!. Cookie gets upset when she contacted the local police and they just blew off the case. So she calls her hot ex.partner Hunter to come help. Now she does not only have a mystery but she has a sexy handyman, a hot ex.partner, and a quirky flirty Mother. Yep she has her hands full lol!.
This book is so exciting, hilarious, and steamy hot with lots of mystery!. You will love it!. It is a 5-star plus book!.

I enjoyed reading this story, it was well written and held my attention wonderfully... It has potential!

The reason I'm giving this book 4 stars is because of a few things that bugged me throughout the story.

While it's an interesting read with a clear plot line, the main character is supposed to be around late 20's early 30's but acts like a love struck teen at times. There are 2 guys she finds hot, one being her ex partner in the FBI and the other a local handyman with a mystery back story. These guys quarrel a lot all because of her and it's kinda played out like a YA love triangle. The best way I can explain it is teens trying to act like adults...?

Another issue I've come across is that she's ex FBI. They're rigorously trained, yet even though she's in hiding from a mob boss she kept her cell phone. And uses it several times calling old contacts. Contacts that end up meeting her at her new address. I mean come on, being trained by the FBI she should know that's a big no no. If this mob boss is such a badass that she has to hide, wouldn't it follow that he may be watching her last known acquaintances, and her cell number? I bet they find her in the next book...

Also, being that 2 FBI agents are investigating a murder, why aren't they following any investigative procedures? Dusting for prints, wearing gloves when touching everything at a possible murder scene, looking for blood.. These sort of things get bypassed in this book.

Another thing... The fact that she is in hiding, yet goes and questions all the suspects is just off. Everyone is supposed to just let the Inn keeper they've known all of a few weeks interrogate them? But it's ok because the FBI guy says she has past law experience.

Not to mention her pothead mom that acts like she's regressed to an immature tween. Cookie gets angry a lot with her "young again" mother, but nothing ever comes from it except a head shake. I know there are cases where parents do this type of thing causing the child to parent them, it just gets so annoying in this story. Mainly because we the reader are in Cookie's thoughts and read about her complaining about her mom so much. ?

I think after all that, I'm being rather generous with a 4 star review. The redeeming factor is how the story just kept its momentum even with its flaws. Plus I'd like to know the handyman's back story. I will read the next in the series only for that, but I hope it gets better.

FBI agent Cookie James is on hiatus from her job and running an inn on Secret Seale Isle. Life is pretty simple until her hippie, rebellious mother finds a dead body in the water. Lacking confidence in the local sheriff, Cookie calls in her ex-partner, the handsome and sexy Hunter O’Neil. Meanwhile, she’s beginning to wonder if some of the locals are suspects, including the equally gorgeous handyman, Dylan Creed.

New Corpse in Town is a fun cozy that is as much romance as it is mystery. The romantic components provide most of the tension and angst in this novel, which is fine by me. I could see why Cookie is torn between returning to her old life, despite the risks, and staying put to develop new possibilities with Dylan. The author captures the appeal of both men well. While the plot is a little thin on suspects, the characters and setting are terrific. Mystery fans who enjoy romantic entanglements in a story will love this one.

Detracted by too much oogling over blokes, otherwise a good cozy mystery, set on the very gorgeously named Secret Seal Isle. Loved the premise of Cookie being an ex FBI agent who is transplanted there following a bad outcome in a case involving the local mob (though it's never clear why it's just her in that situation and not her FBI partner too, who we meet in the course of the story!) - very original instead of just being bored, forced out because of sexism, going bad or something similar that's the usual scenario when an ex law enforcement officer is the main character. And can I just say how much I love her mother - the weed-smoking, tie-dye wearing (when she's not going au-natural!), sex-mad Rain Forest (yup, that's the name she chose for herself when they relocated - can you imagine a much hippy-er name?!)
NB I received a complimentary copy of this book, but I always give an HONEST review based wholly on my own opinions

New Corpse in Town Secret Seal Isle Mysteries Book 1
by Lucy Quinn
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I enjoyed this storyline of mystery, It is an interesting story. Lucy Quinn is a very talented storyteller. This a fantastic story she has given us! I love reading it, I'm not a mystery romance fan but this held my attention. The characters are realistic and its full of emotion, and suspense. I like reading a story that the main characters have a little more tension between them and they have something special about their romance, but this is a mystery with very little romance , which added layers of suspense to the plot, and had me wondering all the way through what was what. It wasn't obvious which character or if there was a case until the final pages that all the ends were tied up (in a most satisfactory manner, I might add). It’s a combination of strong characters, exciting plot, and a budding romance—if only Cookie can get over her past, and Dylan can rediscover his.
It’s no secret that I haven't read a lot romantic mysteries as its not my favourite genre. But New Corpse in Town Secret Seal Isle is an excellent romantic mystery debut, and I’ll certainly be looking forward to reading more from Lucy Quinn. This is my first time reading this author, but not my last. I feel privileged that I was given the chance to read this book by Lucy Quinn for my honest opinion in a review. I have to say this again, I really enjoyed the characters and storyline.

This is a great addition to your TBR list and your library. A MUST READ!
If you believe in romance then your possibilities are endless and fascinating!

Cookie James, a former FBI agent, needed a change in her life for reasons beyond her control. She and her hippie mother, Rain, move to Secret Seal Isle off the coast of Maine. They buy, renovate, and run the only inn on the island. Just as they are expecting their first guests, Rain stumbles upon a dead body. The small-town deputy has no care to investigate the case, but Cookie's FBI instincts will not let her leave it unsolved. She calls her former partner, Hunter O'neill in for help. There has always been an attraction between Cookie and Hunter, but certain lines could not be crossed as partners. Now, that they no longer work together, the desire burns a little brighter. But, just before Hunter came back into her life, she had been flirting with the island's handy-man, who is witty and msterious. Cookie has to decide which man, and ultimately what kind of life she wanted, all while trying to investigate a murder, and tryi g to keep up with her mom's wild antics.
This cozy mystery was so much fun, the perfect summer read. It was an easy, enjoyable read, humorous, intriguing, and I found myself smiling quite often. While, there is a lot of attraction, flirting, and desire, it is completely clean. Rain is a hoot, such a fun character. I love the setting of the story on the smalltown island, and especially the inn itself. I used to read a lot of cozies, but lately have been reading much more paranormal/fantasy, etc, but this book definitely makes me want to get back into cozies, and I will certainly be reading the rest of this series.

Who wouldn't love Cookie James and her mother, Rain? I was laughing out loud at parts of the story and getting odd looks from my family. I definitely want to read more books in this series. I have to learn more about Dylan and see if Hunter figures out what is really important.

I received this from one of the author's that are writing in this shared pen name for an honest review. I have to say that I was skeptical about reading the story. I am not a fan of mystery or suspense genre. It did take me a while to get into the book. However, it had nothing to do with how it was written. I really enjoy both of the authors that are writing as Lucy Quinn and really enjoyed the book once I was able to get into it. It was a little slow going at the start and I personally wanted something to happen quickly. I finally got some steamy sexual tension from a couple people in the book. Plus there was a lot of humor in the book that I would have missed if it wasn't in it.

Cookie seems to be missing her old life but is actually moving forward by the end of the book. We find out some of why she went to Secret Seal Isle in the first place. Not enough for my liking but I enjoy knowing everything up front about main characters since I emotionally invest in them. I enjoyed the thought process that she has while working a case and also running her business. She is a no-nonsense kind of person but with a wicked sense of humor.

Rain, Cookie’s mom, is a hoot! I personally wish there was more of her in the book but since it is a starter for the series I am ok with not seeing a lot of her because she does seem to be a lot to handle.

I would recommend checking this out if you enjoy Deanna Chase and V. Vaughn books because it is a perfect balance of them both. It is available at all retail outlets.

This has a lot of cozy mystery basics - poor police procedure, a new kid in town shaking things up, and quaint secondary characters and location. It also has a romance triangle that's a bit too emphasized, and testosterone dripping though every chapter.

The main character is a former FBI agent hiding under a new name with her hippie mother. When a body washes up while the town handyman (rawr) is working on her house, her first option is to skip the hiding part and call her former partner (rawr). Other guys in town lust after her, too, but it's all about these two.

As with this style of book, everything wraps up neatly with enough sexual tension and quirkiness to lead to the next book. Not bad for a first tag team writing event, but thus far I prefer Deanna Chase's standalone novels.

Cookie James and her Mother Rain have moved to Secret Seal Isle, population hovering around 400. They also bought the Secret Seal Inn and are running it as a B&B. Dylan Creed is the Handyman on the Isle and doing some work at the Inn. He is a cool drink of water on a hot summer day. Now from the title of the book you can tell we will have a body on our hands, the Sheriff lives in Hancock, and only Deputy Swan is on the Isle, and has no plans to investigate the death. So Cookie decides to call her friend Hunter who works with the FBI, and he also turns out to be another Hunk. So we have romance and mystery rolled up into one.

The characters are wonderful, funny, and full of surprises. Cookies Mom Rain will have you laughing so hard you will cry. The storyline was a great mystery with a ton of fun thrown in. Can't wait to read the rest of the series!

FBI agent Cookie James is hiding out on a tiny island as an inn keeper with her hippie mother when she gets involved with a murder. She calls for help from her ex-partner and then must decide whether to return to her old life or continue on the island with her new love interest, but first solve the dead body in the sea. Good story.

I really enjoyed the fun and fast paced storyline. The characters were well fleshed out. The only reason to not give it a 5 star rating is that I like strong female characters to be strong and I think our protagonist was less than decisive for an FBI agent

This was a very light, fun book. Good setting on Secret Seal Isle and interesting characters. Mother Rain is a walking, talking riot that loves embarrassing her daughter. Very quick and quirky read.

Detracted by too much oogling over blokes, otherwise a good cozy mystery, set on the very gorgeously named Secret Seal Isle. Loved the premise of Cookie being an ex FBI agent who is transplanted there following a bad outcome in a case involving the local mob (though it's never clear why it's just her in that situation and not her FBI partner too, who we meet in the course of the story!) - very original instead of just being bored, forced out because of sexism, going bad or something similar that's the usual scenario when an ex law enforcement officer is the main character. And can I just say how much I love her mother - the weed-smoking, tie-dye wearing (when she's not going au-natural!), sex-mad Rain Forest (yup, that's the name she chose for herself when they relocated - can you imagine a much hippy-er name?!)
NB I received a complimentary copy of this book, but I always give an HONEST review based wholly on my own opinions

This is a very nice suspenseful but relaxing read. I love most of the characters as they are very nicely developed, and I am looking forward to reading more about them. The main female protagonist, Cookie is fun, outgoing, smart and interesting character. Then we have a mysterious handyman Dylan who is just fabulous. And we have Hunter, Cookie's ex partner from the FBI, who I didn't like that much, arrogant with overly high opinion of himself. He is the reason for four stars. Cookie's mother is a blast and definitely my favourite. I hope to see more of her in future books.
The plot and pace are very nice and it is easy just to get lost in the book. There is some romance as well and it is well laid out for the sequel.
I am really looking forward to the next book(s).

I enjoyed this book! It was a fun read and out of the usual for me. The characters are unique and funny as all get out. Rain, the mother, is a hoot! I was always wondering what kind of trouble she would get into. Cookie, a FBI agent on leave, has two men crushing on her at the same time she is trying to solve a murder that the local police are turning a blind eye to. It was cute and comical, did not hold my interest early on but developed into something that I could not put down. I can not wait for the next book.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I'm new to this author, but I tell you I wasn't disappointed. What a fun, lively and clearly entertaining start to a new series. How could you not love it when the two main, but oh so funny characters are Cookie and Rain. Who also happen to be mother and daughter. The book had so many twist and turns, but very easy to follow. I enjoyed the chemistry between everyone and I can't decide which hunky male I like more. Hunter or Dylan? Such decisions. Great job on this one and I surely can't wait for book 2.

The only redeeming part of this story was the free loving, pot-smoking, special brownie baking mother. The main character was stiff and uncompromising and the storyline was slow and mundane. Sorry not for me. Prefer some life in my books.

I really enjoyed this story. I loved the setting and the chase of the murderer to the end. Hunter and Cookies love story was very moving and held my interest throughout the story. And a Dylan added in as another love connection only made it more interesting.

The author made grave errors in her tale.
1. Lobstermen do not use nets...I've never been close to Maine and that's common knowledge
2 when you fall in seawater fully dressed, you don't use your phone to take pictures just minutes later...they would have been distroyed.....

I enjoyed reading this book ?, with Cookie trying to decide if she wanted the new guy or the old one. It was a funny and interesting story. I can't wait for more from this author. I received this book FREE to read and I voluntarily leave this review.

Kept me wondering who did it. There was no heavy romance. There is the silly mother who can keep you laughing. It was good to see cookie had investigation knowledge and she was not just any inn keeper trying to be some one she was not.

The mother of the main character wants to hump every male she sees. Smokes a joint in the open with a paying guest at the B&B and in front of an FBI agent!
The main character is supposedly torn between two hot guys. zone she has known for years but lives a long way away unless she plans to move back to the place she is in hiding from. And the other guy she has known for ONE WEEK. I thought I had that wrong, but no at the end of the book, she says in so many words that she has known him for one week. REALLY? The other guy was in the picture for several of the last several days and she didn't even see the other guy every one of the last 7 days.
Give me a break. How serious can you be in one week. Or how absolutely stupid?
She also thinks that every male wants to jump her because she is just so great.
I certainly hope that there aren't people like this in the author's real life. If there are, she really needs to find new friends!
I won't be reading any more from this author.

This did not read like a book written for adults. The characters were childish and not well developed. The investigative process was laughable. Especially for an FBI agent. I made it halfway through and had to stop.

This is a good book to read when you want something light. It has a little romance, a small mystery and actually has an ending. It is a well written book and the first ever where I found not one single error.