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Maine Clambake Mystery #1
Clammed Up
Julia Snowden returned to her hometown of Busman’s Harbor, Maine to rescue her family’s struggling clambake business—not to solve crimes. But that was before a catered wedding on picturesque Morrow Island turned into a reception for murder. When the best man’s corpse is found hanging from the grand staircase in the Snowden family mansion, Julia must put the chowder pot on the back burner and join the search for the killer. And with suspicion falling on her old crush, Chris Durand, the recipe for saving her business and salvaging her love life might be one and the same.
378 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2013
818 people are currently reading
4,217 people want to read
About the author
Barbara Ross
39books1,124followersBarbara Ross is the author of twelve Maine Clambake Mystery novellas and six novellas. Her books have been nominated for multiple Agatha Awards for Best Contemporary Novel and have won the Maine Literary Award for Crime Fiction. Barbara and her husband live in Portland, Maine. Readers can visit her website at .
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 639 reviews
March 21, 2021
After finishing Lea Wait's Maine cozy mystery series and looking for property to buy so I can move up north, it was time to begin my next series set in Maine... hence Clammed Up by Barbara Ross in my reading queue this week. Others had recommended the series to me in the past, and I'd seen it on various sites and blogs... finally I devoured it yesterday and this morning. What a fun setting and group of characters.
Julia has returned to the coast of Maine to revive her family's dying clambake business, especially after her father passed away and the debts began to surmount. She's strong-willed and often at odds with her family, but Maine is where her roots are. During opening day at their family's island clambake, a wedding guest is found dead. The bank is set to call their loan. Julia is balancing everything as best as she can, but it all comes toppling down when a second incident occurs quickly and forces them to close for the week. They'll never make enough money to get back on their feet.
As the first in a series, a bunch of backstory needs to unfold. I enjoyed learning about the ins-and-outs of the town. Julia's relationship with her sister and brother-in-law is the most explored while their mom is more in the background. This makes sense given her husband recently died and she's still grieving. I definitely felt the spark of Maine in the books, having been here for several months now. I'm not a local but I get the culture, and Ross nails it quite well.
The murder is well-paced. Not only do a few of the wedding guests have a connection to the deceased, but he had a relationship with someone in town long ago. Julia's caretakers (of the island) fended off multiple offers from the deceased who wanted to buy the island. Was someone trying to cause problems to drive the price down? Was this revenge against the town for a not-so-buried disagreement? Did someone in the family try to escape the bank's clutches? Were friends of Julia who followed her home from NYC causing trouble? So many potential clues and red herrings made this a great plot to guess along with.
Additionally, Julia has two potential love interests... a nice way to offer options for readers to weigh in on as the books develop. One is a cop. The other seems to be a suspect. Are we seeing all the history between them yet? I suspect not, which has made this nice and spicy. By the end, it looks like Julia has a forward path to date one of them as well as save the family business, but it's all tenuous. I look forward to finding out what could happen and will definitely be reading the next in series.
Julia has returned to the coast of Maine to revive her family's dying clambake business, especially after her father passed away and the debts began to surmount. She's strong-willed and often at odds with her family, but Maine is where her roots are. During opening day at their family's island clambake, a wedding guest is found dead. The bank is set to call their loan. Julia is balancing everything as best as she can, but it all comes toppling down when a second incident occurs quickly and forces them to close for the week. They'll never make enough money to get back on their feet.
As the first in a series, a bunch of backstory needs to unfold. I enjoyed learning about the ins-and-outs of the town. Julia's relationship with her sister and brother-in-law is the most explored while their mom is more in the background. This makes sense given her husband recently died and she's still grieving. I definitely felt the spark of Maine in the books, having been here for several months now. I'm not a local but I get the culture, and Ross nails it quite well.
The murder is well-paced. Not only do a few of the wedding guests have a connection to the deceased, but he had a relationship with someone in town long ago. Julia's caretakers (of the island) fended off multiple offers from the deceased who wanted to buy the island. Was someone trying to cause problems to drive the price down? Was this revenge against the town for a not-so-buried disagreement? Did someone in the family try to escape the bank's clutches? Were friends of Julia who followed her home from NYC causing trouble? So many potential clues and red herrings made this a great plot to guess along with.
Additionally, Julia has two potential love interests... a nice way to offer options for readers to weigh in on as the books develop. One is a cop. The other seems to be a suspect. Are we seeing all the history between them yet? I suspect not, which has made this nice and spicy. By the end, it looks like Julia has a forward path to date one of them as well as save the family business, but it's all tenuous. I look forward to finding out what could happen and will definitely be reading the next in series.
January 6, 2022
Julia Snowden works in her family’s clambake business on an island in Maine. Since tourist season only lasts for a few months each year, it’s crucial that the struggling business makes the most of every single catering event. Unfortunately, just before one event, the best man is found murdered and the family is ordered to put their business on hold while the police investigate—which might put them out of business permanently. This was a cute cozy mystery with lots of good food (my favorite thing!), Maine charm and interesting characters.
August 18, 2013
Holy placeporn, Batman. This book is a serious mini-trip to the coast of Maine, and it's the perfect read for when you're sitting in your back garden, unable to journey Mainewards.
The main character has a valid and well thought out motivation for investigating the murder: it may well shut down her struggling family business. And she works hard at keeping that business afloat, letting investigating take a back seat to Getting On With It. My kind of protagonist!
The plot had it on point, but the writing easily steals the whole show, with long, immersive passages describing what it's like to run a small business or take a trip to an island or just try and get service at the local coffee shop:
The ending was a little abrupt and untidy for my liking, but still: sign me up for this series, please.
The main character has a valid and well thought out motivation for investigating the murder: it may well shut down her struggling family business. And she works hard at keeping that business afloat, letting investigating take a back seat to Getting On With It. My kind of protagonist!
The plot had it on point, but the writing easily steals the whole show, with long, immersive passages describing what it's like to run a small business or take a trip to an island or just try and get service at the local coffee shop:
Gus's restaurant had an old gas pump with a round top out front, like something out of an Edward Hopper painting. Inside, you climbed down a long set of stairs into the main room, where you found a candlepin-bowling lane on your left and a lunch counter on your right. In back was a dining room with the best view of Busman's Harbor anywhere.
Gus looked up from the grill when I walked in and growled, "Get out. No strangers."
The ending was a little abrupt and untidy for my liking, but still: sign me up for this series, please.
January 8, 2019
Book one in the Maine Clambake Mystery series. Julia has been forced to return to her hometown in an effort to save the family island/clambake business that is on the verge of being taken form them by the bank. She set up a firm business plan that allows for so many days of them being closed but will let them make the payment at the end of the season. Things are looking up until a dead body is found on the island and more events keep happening after that to make things even worse. This book is full of well written characters placed in a setting just full of little details. The clambake sounds awesome with lots of organization and activities planned. I think I would enjoy paying for that myself. As things go wrong it starts to look like they will lose it all until Julia finally figures out what really happened which I did not see coming at all. This is a well written cozy mystery that I highly recommend to fans of the genre. I really enjoyed it so it gets 4/5 stars.
February 19, 2020
Barbara Ross’s Clammed Up is a well-written and entertaining cozy mystery with a wonderful setting and great characters.
Julia Snowden has recently returned to Busman’s Harbor, Maine. She has come back to her hometown from Manhattan to save her family’s struggling clambake business. But, a gruesome murder brings everything to a halt. While hosting a wedding party on the Snowden family’s beautiful Morrow Island, Julia stumbles across a body! It’s the missing best man and he’s hanging from the grand staircase of the Snowden family mansion. Julia must find a killer before her family’s business dies too!
I absolutely enjoyed this wonderful read! There’s a lot of action but everything fits well together. The mystery plot is well-written and nicely paced with great twists that I really didn’t anticipate. I love that there is a wealth of interesting and viable suspects. I didn’t figure out the killer until the very end. I was quite surprised but I think the resolution fits the book. However, I wish this part of the mystery had been better written and clearer because certain aspects are implausible. I also would have liked more substantial clues throughout.
I like how realistically Ross handles the Snowden family’s financial problems and internal dynamics. I also love the picturesque small seaside town setting. It is such a beautiful and well-described place that I really feel like I was there!
This book features quirky and memorable characters. They are all well-written and I had no trouble telling them apart. It took me a little while to warm up to Julia because I couldn’t connect with her at first. But, I really like her! She’s a great, smart, and relatable protagonist. I like her dedication to her family business and the town. Her sleuthing fits naturally with her characterization and her involvement in the mystery makes perfect sense.
I’m really glad that the romance is barely there in this debut. The plot is busy with so many turns that a smidge more romance would have weighed down the book. However, I like the hints of romance that we got. I also like Chris, Julia’s crush, who is a suspect in the best man’s murder.
Clammed Up is a great and quick cozy read that’ll have you longing for a Maine seaside adventure. This is a wonderful first book and I cannot wait to read the rest of this series!
🦞 🦞 🦞 🦞 ½ lobsters out of 5!
Julia Snowden has recently returned to Busman’s Harbor, Maine. She has come back to her hometown from Manhattan to save her family’s struggling clambake business. But, a gruesome murder brings everything to a halt. While hosting a wedding party on the Snowden family’s beautiful Morrow Island, Julia stumbles across a body! It’s the missing best man and he’s hanging from the grand staircase of the Snowden family mansion. Julia must find a killer before her family’s business dies too!
I absolutely enjoyed this wonderful read! There’s a lot of action but everything fits well together. The mystery plot is well-written and nicely paced with great twists that I really didn’t anticipate. I love that there is a wealth of interesting and viable suspects. I didn’t figure out the killer until the very end. I was quite surprised but I think the resolution fits the book. However, I wish this part of the mystery had been better written and clearer because certain aspects are implausible. I also would have liked more substantial clues throughout.
I like how realistically Ross handles the Snowden family’s financial problems and internal dynamics. I also love the picturesque small seaside town setting. It is such a beautiful and well-described place that I really feel like I was there!
This book features quirky and memorable characters. They are all well-written and I had no trouble telling them apart. It took me a little while to warm up to Julia because I couldn’t connect with her at first. But, I really like her! She’s a great, smart, and relatable protagonist. I like her dedication to her family business and the town. Her sleuthing fits naturally with her characterization and her involvement in the mystery makes perfect sense.
I’m really glad that the romance is barely there in this debut. The plot is busy with so many turns that a smidge more romance would have weighed down the book. However, I like the hints of romance that we got. I also like Chris, Julia’s crush, who is a suspect in the best man’s murder.
Clammed Up is a great and quick cozy read that’ll have you longing for a Maine seaside adventure. This is a wonderful first book and I cannot wait to read the rest of this series!
🦞 🦞 🦞 🦞 ½ lobsters out of 5!
June 13, 2018
I finally got to start this series that I've been collecting and I really enjoyed this first book! I'm definitely looking forward to reading the rest. I probably won't be caught up by the time the latest one comes out, but at least I have a start at it!
Julia Snowden quit her job in Manhattan to come home and help her brother-in-law Sonny salvage the Snowden Family Clambake in Busman's Harbor, Maine. Her dad had passed five years ago but she found out after living with her mom after she got back, that she hadn't really gotten over it too well. The new clambake season was just getting started with a clambake for a wedding when the body of the best man was found hanging in the mansion that stood on the island. Later, after being allowed to open in a day, a fire had started on the mansion's porch so they were closed again. Since the business was already on shaky ground and the police couldn't tell her when they'd be back open, Julia took it on herself to start investigating and hopefully find out who killed Ray the best man. If she couldn't do that soon, she had a feeling that the clambake would have to close for good.
I really enjoyed getting to know all these characters! I think one of my favorites was Gus, the owner of the local diner who only allowed locals in. It didn't seem like a very profitable way to do business but I guess that was just Gus. He didn't have a lot to say but when he did, what he said was meaningful. I wasn't sure if I liked the character of Sonny or not (he's married to Livvie, Julia's sister) but by the end of the book, he did seem like a more friendly and likable person. Some people in this mystery weren't what they seemed to be at all as I found out towards the end which was pretty exciting. Everything was well-explained since it ended with a special clambake for all the local friends and police.
I'll definitely be reading the rest of the series!
Julia Snowden quit her job in Manhattan to come home and help her brother-in-law Sonny salvage the Snowden Family Clambake in Busman's Harbor, Maine. Her dad had passed five years ago but she found out after living with her mom after she got back, that she hadn't really gotten over it too well. The new clambake season was just getting started with a clambake for a wedding when the body of the best man was found hanging in the mansion that stood on the island. Later, after being allowed to open in a day, a fire had started on the mansion's porch so they were closed again. Since the business was already on shaky ground and the police couldn't tell her when they'd be back open, Julia took it on herself to start investigating and hopefully find out who killed Ray the best man. If she couldn't do that soon, she had a feeling that the clambake would have to close for good.
I really enjoyed getting to know all these characters! I think one of my favorites was Gus, the owner of the local diner who only allowed locals in. It didn't seem like a very profitable way to do business but I guess that was just Gus. He didn't have a lot to say but when he did, what he said was meaningful. I wasn't sure if I liked the character of Sonny or not (he's married to Livvie, Julia's sister) but by the end of the book, he did seem like a more friendly and likable person. Some people in this mystery weren't what they seemed to be at all as I found out towards the end which was pretty exciting. Everything was well-explained since it ended with a special clambake for all the local friends and police.
I'll definitely be reading the rest of the series!
July 14, 2023
I grew up going to Maine in the summers so I thought this would be the perfect summer read for me and it was! I love cozy mysteries especially when they are set in places I’ve been before so this one really hit the spot for me. Not only are the characters great (I’m excited to see more of them in coming books) but I enjoyed the plot and mystery. I didn’t even figure out “whodunit� before the reveal! So that’s a big win for me.
If you enjoy cozy mysteries and haven’t read this one yet I recommend it!
𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗙𝗘𝗖𝗧 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗙𝗔𝗡𝗦 𝗢𝗙
� Cozy Mysteries
� Maine settings
� Clambakes, lobster, and other seafood
𝗠𝗬 𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
If you enjoy cozy mysteries and haven’t read this one yet I recommend it!
𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗙𝗘𝗖𝗧 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗙𝗔𝗡𝗦 𝗢𝗙
� Cozy Mysteries
� Maine settings
� Clambakes, lobster, and other seafood
𝗠𝗬 𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
March 30, 2015
Story: 1 / 5
Characters: 1 / 5
World-building: 3 / 5
Romance: 1 / 5
Overall: 1 /5
---------------------------
As a book about managing a private island and a clamming business, I guess this book is alright, but as a mystery, this book is HORRIBLE, for the following reasons:
1) The ending: One vital aspect of a mystery is a LOGICAL ending, one in which an experienced or /and an intelligent reader can deduce from the facts in the plot. UNFORTUNATELY, this book uses one of those cheap formulas cozy mystery authors tend to use these days, a.k.a.
A plain (but intelligent) woman between 25 and 50 + an interesting occupation where she has to make plenty of career choices + encounters one or more gorgeous men in a short time span + a mystery with a convenient ending = cozy mystery
The ending here is completely UNINTERESTING because MAJOR SPOILER . When you have built up so much suspense, why kill the book with such a crappy ending?
2) The romance: I care little about romance as long as it's not one of those boring love triangles, but the romance in this book is more amazing than that, the romance POPS OUT OF NOWHERE! Well, it's hard to explain without spoiling the story so go ahead if you have already read the book.
3) The heroine: Sorry, but this heroine is so cold-blooded I have a hard time finishing the book! She doesn't care for her family, is whining all the time about how she gives up her successful life in Manhattan to come home to SAVE her family business, acts like she is the one making sacrifices when it's her sister and her husband who has been there all the time. Never even bothers to say hi to her childhood friend, but suddenly treats him as a "friend" when she needs information from him. YIKES.
Overall, I really regretted reading this book and I hope mystery writers will stop using such stupid formulas when they are writing mysteries. Agatha Christie is the QUEEN OF MYSTERY because she observes people and use her detectives little grey cells to solve problems, not through whining, kisses, and convenient endings.
Characters: 1 / 5
World-building: 3 / 5
Romance: 1 / 5
Overall: 1 /5
---------------------------
As a book about managing a private island and a clamming business, I guess this book is alright, but as a mystery, this book is HORRIBLE, for the following reasons:
1) The ending: One vital aspect of a mystery is a LOGICAL ending, one in which an experienced or /and an intelligent reader can deduce from the facts in the plot. UNFORTUNATELY, this book uses one of those cheap formulas cozy mystery authors tend to use these days, a.k.a.
A plain (but intelligent) woman between 25 and 50 + an interesting occupation where she has to make plenty of career choices + encounters one or more gorgeous men in a short time span + a mystery with a convenient ending = cozy mystery
The ending here is completely UNINTERESTING because MAJOR SPOILER . When you have built up so much suspense, why kill the book with such a crappy ending?
2) The romance: I care little about romance as long as it's not one of those boring love triangles, but the romance in this book is more amazing than that, the romance POPS OUT OF NOWHERE! Well, it's hard to explain without spoiling the story so go ahead if you have already read the book.
3) The heroine: Sorry, but this heroine is so cold-blooded I have a hard time finishing the book! She doesn't care for her family, is whining all the time about how she gives up her successful life in Manhattan to come home to SAVE her family business, acts like she is the one making sacrifices when it's her sister and her husband who has been there all the time. Never even bothers to say hi to her childhood friend, but suddenly treats him as a "friend" when she needs information from him. YIKES.
Overall, I really regretted reading this book and I hope mystery writers will stop using such stupid formulas when they are writing mysteries. Agatha Christie is the QUEEN OF MYSTERY because she observes people and use her detectives little grey cells to solve problems, not through whining, kisses, and convenient endings.
May 18, 2019
Clammed Up by Barbara Ross was definitely an intriguing beginning to this new series. Normally a first book in a series starts out slow so that the characters and setting can be established but this was not the case in this book. It started off with the murder and I got to know the characters and the beautiful Maine setting while following Julia Snowden while she investigated. I enjoyed this book and am looking forward to more in this series.
July 15, 2014
I got the audio of this book free from the author. This is my honest review.
This new Maine Clambake Series starts off with a hanging body at a wedding. Not a good thing for a wedding celebration or the Snowden Family Clambake Company. Julia Snowden has left her high power job in New York to try and keep her family's floundering business from going under. Everything has been invested to keep it going, including her Mom's house, their boat, and the island where they have their clambakes.
I really enjoyed this book as the mystery took a few twisting turns and the conclusion was different but very believable. Also enjoyed the emphasis on family sticking together--those by blood and those by long time friendships. The hints at future romantic entanglements between a few of the characters left me wanting to get right into the next book. Recipes were included, and the food descriptions in the book made me feel like I was right there at the clambake. Winning start to this new series!
I listened to this on audio and really enjoyed the added dramatics. I'm finding that cozy reads are really fun to listen to as well as to read.
This new Maine Clambake Series starts off with a hanging body at a wedding. Not a good thing for a wedding celebration or the Snowden Family Clambake Company. Julia Snowden has left her high power job in New York to try and keep her family's floundering business from going under. Everything has been invested to keep it going, including her Mom's house, their boat, and the island where they have their clambakes.
I really enjoyed this book as the mystery took a few twisting turns and the conclusion was different but very believable. Also enjoyed the emphasis on family sticking together--those by blood and those by long time friendships. The hints at future romantic entanglements between a few of the characters left me wanting to get right into the next book. Recipes were included, and the food descriptions in the book made me feel like I was right there at the clambake. Winning start to this new series!
I listened to this on audio and really enjoyed the added dramatics. I'm finding that cozy reads are really fun to listen to as well as to read.
July 4, 2015
This was a fun cozy mystery that left me guessing at who the killer was until the end. Great story, but a little slow at the start.
January 7, 2019
A fun loving cozy mystery.
November 2, 2022
This just took long to get nowhere fast!! An easy to read cosy mystery Dont think I'll be reading the second in the series. 🙄
February 22, 2021
Oh my goodness! This book was SO good! I have had many friends recommend this series to me and I am glad I read it. I literally didn't want to ever put it down.
I really enjoyed Julia and the way she processed everything. I feel like we think the same. I also really liked that she continually went to the police with her information. It was interesting to see the dynamic of Julia and Sonny over the family business. I could feel the tension and I understood each side of the struggle. I was totally blown away when I found out who did it, my heart just broke. That goes to show you what a great writer Barbara Ross is!! Do yourself a favor and read this book!!
I really enjoyed Julia and the way she processed everything. I feel like we think the same. I also really liked that she continually went to the police with her information. It was interesting to see the dynamic of Julia and Sonny over the family business. I could feel the tension and I understood each side of the struggle. I was totally blown away when I found out who did it, my heart just broke. That goes to show you what a great writer Barbara Ross is!! Do yourself a favor and read this book!!
December 29, 2018
3.5 stars
August 6, 2019
Clammed Up by Barbara Ross is the first book in the Maine Clambake Mystery series. Julia Snowden returns to her home town of Busman's Harbor to help save her family's clambake business run on the family owned Morrow Island. Unfortunately the best man at a wedding to be held on the island is found murdered and Julia investigates to help speed up the business reopening.. An interesting, well written mystery with plenty of twists and red herrings. I was a bit let down by the ending, but otherwise the location and food kept me engaged.
October 21, 2013
I was hesitant to buy this one because I had bought a few new cozy series over the summer and I didn't enjoy them at all. I put this on hold at the library and had to wait a few months for my turn to read it.
This one was a very pleasant surprise though and I am glad I did read it. Set on the coast of Maine about a family that runs a clambake business, Clammed Up has an awesome small town / ocean setting where the readers can really smell the salty, sea air with characters that are vivid and well-written.
I did think that the family dynamics were a little strange when reading through them, so much conflict but overall, I liked Julia very much and I am interested in finding out more about her and how her story line plays out.
The mystery itself was well-written and difficult to solve. Very intelligently played. I look forward to the next book in the series!
This one was a very pleasant surprise though and I am glad I did read it. Set on the coast of Maine about a family that runs a clambake business, Clammed Up has an awesome small town / ocean setting where the readers can really smell the salty, sea air with characters that are vivid and well-written.
I did think that the family dynamics were a little strange when reading through them, so much conflict but overall, I liked Julia very much and I am interested in finding out more about her and how her story line plays out.
The mystery itself was well-written and difficult to solve. Very intelligently played. I look forward to the next book in the series!
February 4, 2021
Enjoyable, especially as a recorded book for driving! Love the characters.
March 31, 2015
I'm not quite sure, but from reading and watching detective stories - ? Why would the cops not know that? Or maybe I missed something? I spent way too long on the book, much more than a book of this type warranted, alternating between wondering at Julia's martyr complex and feeling nostalgic about beautiful Maine. About Julia's martyr complex: she left a successful career in NYC to come save the family clambake, sure, but she'd been AWOL for 10 years before that when the other members of her family were working like dogs. She comes to her senses, but it was too little too late - I was already quite ticked off about her self absorption.
The mystery was a bit off, see above, and it seems that Julia did everything a beat after the cops did and the cops still didn't get the right answer. Well, neither did Julia. In true cozy mystery fashion, the killer just happened to be doing murder-y stuff when Julia traipsed along. I did like the Maine described in the book, since I really liked Maine when I went there on a week-long vacation a couple of years ago and this was a nice refresher. I don't have an opinion on the recipes, since I'm a vegetarian (what was I doing in Maine, right?) and would have no idea if these are good recipes or not. Not much was said about clambakes, considering this whole thing was about clambakes in the first place - Julia isn't a bake master, neither is she any kind of cook. They spend most of the time closed, and when they are open, one day, Julia spends most of the time wandering around the place rather than pulling her weight. From this book, I have only the barest of ideas of what it means to have a clambake experience.
Anyway, the series does have potential, since Julia's whining about herself seems to be at an end. I can't find the second book, but I have the third one on Kindle courtesy the publisher, and I hope that book is better than this one.
The mystery was a bit off, see above, and it seems that Julia did everything a beat after the cops did and the cops still didn't get the right answer. Well, neither did Julia. In true cozy mystery fashion, the killer just happened to be doing murder-y stuff when Julia traipsed along. I did like the Maine described in the book, since I really liked Maine when I went there on a week-long vacation a couple of years ago and this was a nice refresher. I don't have an opinion on the recipes, since I'm a vegetarian (what was I doing in Maine, right?) and would have no idea if these are good recipes or not. Not much was said about clambakes, considering this whole thing was about clambakes in the first place - Julia isn't a bake master, neither is she any kind of cook. They spend most of the time closed, and when they are open, one day, Julia spends most of the time wandering around the place rather than pulling her weight. From this book, I have only the barest of ideas of what it means to have a clambake experience.
Anyway, the series does have potential, since Julia's whining about herself seems to be at an end. I can't find the second book, but I have the third one on Kindle courtesy the publisher, and I hope that book is better than this one.
March 10, 2017
This is the first book in the Maine Clambake Series. It starts off with a wedding party heading off to Morrow Island for a wedding and when they arrive, they find a hanging body in the mansion. Not a good way to begin a wedding celebration. Julia Snowden, the main character, has left her high powered job in New York finance to try and keep her family's floundering business, The Snowden Family Clambake, from going under. Everything has been invested to keep it going, including her Mom's house, their boat, and the island where they have their clambakes. Julia was called home by her sister to come up with a financial plan to renegotiate their loan and save the family business and properties. What she did not count on was the island being closed for business for several days while the police investigate the death/murder as well as an arson investigation.
I really enjoyed this book as the mystery has several twists, as well as several suspects. The conclusion came as a total surprise, but it definitely fit the story. The family was easy to like, Julia, her sister Livie, her husband Sonny and daughter Paige as well as her mother. They stuck by one another, has their quirks, were hard-working and loved each other despite their disagreements. Their was also Gabrielle and Etienne, her father's best friend, who worked with the family running the clambake. They has some problems of their own, which made for a story within the story. The small town atmosphere of Busman's Harbour added to the story as well. Everyone knew one another, and outsiders were tolerated "in season". The hints at a future romantic relationship between Julia and Chris simmered throughout the story with ups and downs. We will have to see where that goes in the next book. As with a good cozy, there are recipes included, which based on the descriptions in the book make me want to try them. This was a great start to this series and I am ready to start on the next one.
I really enjoyed this book as the mystery has several twists, as well as several suspects. The conclusion came as a total surprise, but it definitely fit the story. The family was easy to like, Julia, her sister Livie, her husband Sonny and daughter Paige as well as her mother. They stuck by one another, has their quirks, were hard-working and loved each other despite their disagreements. Their was also Gabrielle and Etienne, her father's best friend, who worked with the family running the clambake. They has some problems of their own, which made for a story within the story. The small town atmosphere of Busman's Harbour added to the story as well. Everyone knew one another, and outsiders were tolerated "in season". The hints at a future romantic relationship between Julia and Chris simmered throughout the story with ups and downs. We will have to see where that goes in the next book. As with a good cozy, there are recipes included, which based on the descriptions in the book make me want to try them. This was a great start to this series and I am ready to start on the next one.
June 29, 2016
I'm very disappointed with this one. In fact, I'm a little angry. Clammed Up had quite a few flaws (self-righteous mc, weak romance, weak mystery, etc.) but I could overlook that since this is the first in a series. What really irked me was the reveal of the killer and their reasoning.
I want to continue on with the series because I do see the potential in it. The setting was wonderful and Julia does have some development that I hope will help me in liking her more. The problem with this one was simply the reasoning behind everything. I want to urge writers to stop this misinformed trend.
I want to continue on with the series because I do see the potential in it. The setting was wonderful and Julia does have some development that I hope will help me in liking her more. The problem with this one was simply the reasoning behind everything. I want to urge writers to stop this misinformed trend.
August 6, 2022
This is the first book in a long series, and I love the series already! The setting is on the coast of Maine, which I really appreciate. The mystery is complex because there are a number of possible murderers, and I was surprised at the identity of the culprit who was revealed at the end of the book. The character development was fantastic! There are many characters with secrets. It is true that you really don't know people as well as you think that you do! I look forward to reading the next book because I want to see further character development as well as another mystery story. I am happy to know that Barbara Ross is writing more books for this series!
April 7, 2014
Julia has returned to her Maine town to try to save her family's clambake business. However, when the best man at the wedding they are involved in dies, it might shut the business down for good.
I found the first quarter a bit slow, but once the story really got going, it took off and didn't stop until it had reached the end. Along the way, I cam to truly care for these characters. The result was well worth reading.
Read my full review at .
I found the first quarter a bit slow, but once the story really got going, it took off and didn't stop until it had reached the end. Along the way, I cam to truly care for these characters. The result was well worth reading.
Read my full review at .
April 2, 2019
I didn't like the mystery part of this book. The ending was the worst part, though. The main character was okay. She was more likeable later in the book, though. The romance was okay, but it would have been better if things had happened a bit differently. The setting was lovely. It's another seaside locale. I was hoping for more from the clambake part of the story, though. I was hoping that would have played a bigger role in the story.
March 8, 2019
While I'd thought this was a cozy mystery, there were some significant differences. For one, the protagonist grapples with some serious issues, complications, and challenges. It didn't have that lighthearted cozy feel. Julia also isn't that cozy trope of a female who has nothing to do with law enforcement, but then finds herself thrust into a mystery and suddenly morphs into a seasoned detective, relentlessly interrogating family and friends. If anything, Julia's questioning is pretty feeble and doesn't get her too far. She doesn't solve the mystery so much as stumble upon the truth. I wasn't sure if I liked her or not, but I didn't dislike her, and she didn't annoy me--as so many cozy protagonists do--but being a nosy busybody who inserts herself into everyone's business.
I agree with other reviewers that the romance angle feels weak and tacked on at the end, but otherwise, I enjoyed this book. The descriptions of living in Maine, trying to save a struggling small business, and the clambakes--oh, the clambakes!--were authentic and interesting. It really makes me want to go try the one the author recommended. I ended up ordering the best clam chowder I know of in order to tide me over.
The recipes look amazing too. While I'm not sure I was hooked enough to continue with the series, it was an enjoyable read with a lot more depth than the typical cozy. I'd consider this a straight-up mystery.
I agree with other reviewers that the romance angle feels weak and tacked on at the end, but otherwise, I enjoyed this book. The descriptions of living in Maine, trying to save a struggling small business, and the clambakes--oh, the clambakes!--were authentic and interesting. It really makes me want to go try the one the author recommended. I ended up ordering the best clam chowder I know of in order to tide me over.
The recipes look amazing too. While I'm not sure I was hooked enough to continue with the series, it was an enjoyable read with a lot more depth than the typical cozy. I'd consider this a straight-up mystery.
August 4, 2024
A very cozy mystery. 🦞 I was very entertained and enjoyed the writing style!
September 22, 2020
Good start to another Maine series. Julia is struggling to find out what is important to her. She knows that she must help her mother, do her best to save the family business, not kill her brother-in-law, and dodge the bank! If that's not enough to have on her plate, there's a murder. Of course on her family's island no less. It takes perseverance, and a determination to not let her family down to find the killer herself. Unfortunately, her romantic attraction to a high school crush is right in the middle of the murder. How can things get worse! Before she gives up and decides to run back to NY and never look back; she is reminded this is not just a job, but her family; and she cannot turn her back on them now.
Good red herrings, kept me guessing till the end!
Good red herrings, kept me guessing till the end!
April 14, 2023
Most I can rate this is 3.5 stars.
May 20, 2016
Wow, I've had this book on my nook for about a year now, and I only just read it. I must say it was amazing and I am sorry that I hadn't read it before! Filled with wonderful twists and turns, great characters, and a wonderful setting, Clammed Up was a wonderful first book in this series that I hope to continue for awhile to come!
The characters were wonderful. The reasons why the MC came back home were predictable but overall the MC was a delightful character. Her sister, niece, and most of the other characters were also well-written. Her mother broke the cozy mold for most mothers. However, her brother-in-law, Sonny, was annoying and overall just a character I disliked. I hope he'll get better in the next book.
The mystery simply blew me out of the water, so to speak. I thought I had it figured out a few pages before the end, but then the killer was revealed and I was shocked. However, it all fit together perfectly and I was surprised I didn't see it before.
The ending was okay, but I wasn't happy with what happened with the love interest. However, this was overall a wonderful book. I'll read the next one!
The characters were wonderful. The reasons why the MC came back home were predictable but overall the MC was a delightful character. Her sister, niece, and most of the other characters were also well-written. Her mother broke the cozy mold for most mothers. However, her brother-in-law, Sonny, was annoying and overall just a character I disliked. I hope he'll get better in the next book.
The mystery simply blew me out of the water, so to speak. I thought I had it figured out a few pages before the end, but then the killer was revealed and I was shocked. However, it all fit together perfectly and I was surprised I didn't see it before.
The ending was okay, but I wasn't happy with what happened with the love interest. However, this was overall a wonderful book. I'll read the next one!
February 25, 2015
Can one make clam chowder with lobster? This started off slow to the point where I was regretting reading this. But each chapter was short and long enough for me to continue reading. I had to warm up to Julia and the tone of the narrative because it came across as flat. But, as usual, once I got into the story and warmed to the characters, things picked up.
The killer came out of left field for me because I was so focused on the other characters. Once it was revealed who dunnit, it made sense. Nice way to throw me off Ms. Ross!
And what in tar-nation was up with Chris and that ending? I sat on my porch staring at the wall with a scowl on my face thinking, "WTF?"
For the love of all things covered in bacon, please don't let this series turn into a lesson in Love Geometry.
The killer came out of left field for me because I was so focused on the other characters. Once it was revealed who dunnit, it made sense. Nice way to throw me off Ms. Ross!
And what in tar-nation was up with Chris and that ending? I sat on my porch staring at the wall with a scowl on my face thinking, "WTF?"
For the love of all things covered in bacon, please don't let this series turn into a lesson in Love Geometry.
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