by Terrance Mc Arthur

Details at the end of this post on how to enter to win a copy of Partners in Lime and links to purchase the book.

Everly Swan is worried about a rival tea shop opening in town, her relationship with hunky police detective Grady Hays, and the annual Lost Colony historical drama, and…oh, yeah…a star surfer, dead with an arrow in his back, in Bree Baker’s sixth Seaside Café Mystery, Partners in Lime.

The arrow points directly to Everly’s one-time date, Matt Darning, an EMT and former surfing legend, whose arguments with the dead guy and his role as an archer in the play makes him a prime suspect. Everly wants to get Matt off of Grady’s list, which annoys the detective, and puts their romantic leanings on rocky footing. As often occurs in a romance-mystery, the female sleuth’s law-enforcement paramour (or moving-towards-being-a-paramour) doesn’t want her interfering in the case (translation—getting herself in danger).

Someone besides Grady doesn’t like Everly’s inquisitive ways. Threatening cartoons appear, she is almost run over, and more peril is in store. In addition, she worries about the Curse of the Swan Women, what happens to her or her female relatives if they fall in love or leave their small town of Charm, on an island of the Outer Banks, the barrier islands off the coast of North Carolina.

In true murder cozy tradition, Everly is surrounded by quirky characters, including Fran, her great-aunt and mayor of Charm; Mary Grace Chatsworth-Vanders, Everly’s best enemy, who delights in giving her bad news; and Lou, a seagull whose feathered breast might house the spirit of a sea captain who once owned the stately mansion Everly turned into her sweet tea shop and home; a group of senior-citizen Corkers (That’s what they call themselves, and they live up to the name); and a fitness bracelet with an attitude, who won’t leave Everly alone.

Of course, there are murder suspects besides Matt: the dead guy’s manager, his wife (who doesn’t trust him), the second-fiddle surfer who longs to be first chair, the surfer girl who longs for the star, and the sponsor who longs to grow his brand. All in all, it’s a day at the beach—if you like murder—with a high-speed, high-impact climax. This book might be your cup of sweet tea.

To enter to win a copy of Partners in Lime, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line “lime” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen September 25, 2021. U.S. residents only, and you must be 18 or older to enter. If you are entering via email please include you mailing address in case you win, it will be deleted after the contest. You can read our privacy statement here if you like. BE SURE TO STATE IF YOU WANT A PRINT COPY OF OF THE NEW BOOK, OR EBOOK OF ANOTHER BOOK IN THE SERIES.

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You can use this link to purchase this book from indie bookstore Mysterious Galaxy, and KRL gets a portion of the sale:

Partners in Lime

Terrance V. Mc Arthur worked for the Fresno County Public Library for three decades. He is retired, but not retiring. A storyteller, puppeteer, writer, actor, magician, basketmaker, and all-around interesting person, his goal is to make life more unusual for everyone he meets.

Disclosure: This post contains links to an affiliate program, for which we receive a few cents if you make purchases. KRL also receives free copies of most of the books that it reviews, that are provided in exchange for an honest review of the book.