Promising and interesting characters, a beachside bookshop, solid mystery all add up to a great start for this new series.

3.5 stars, rounded up

Scarlet is living her dream – a bookshop on the beach in southern California – until she finds the body of a new customer on the beach not far from her shop. When the police learn that the woman had left Scarlet a significant inheritance, she becomes the prime suspect in the murder. To clear her name, and to keep her bookshop open, she must find the killer before she lands in jail.

According to Goodreads, this is an author’s debut novel, which appears to be the first book in a new cozy series. The southern California is almost like another planet to me – it couldn’t be much different from where I live in south-central Pennsylvania – but I would sure like to check out Scarlet’s bookshop :)

I liked most of the characters in the book, and hope several of them will be back if the series continues. Scarlet seems a little scatterbrained at times, but I might be too if faced with similar circumstances. I like Lucia, her roommate, and think it will come in handy to have a lawyer nearby in future books. Evelyn, Scarlet’s employee, is conveniently married to the area’s homicide detective, which will also prove useful. And there seems to be a potential love interest hanging around, so there’s a good cast of characters on which to build a series.

The murder victim in this story was essentially a stranger to town, so there weren’t many suspects to consider – until news of Scarlet’s inheritance surfaced, then several names jumped to the top of my list of possible killers. Scarlet’s investigation was haphazard and sometimes clumsy, but maybe that’s because I’ve read so many books with amateur sleuths who know what they’re doing. I really hoped one character would turn out to be the culprit, but alas, it didn’t work out that way, although the motive was the same.

If this does indeed prove to be the first book of a series, I will definitely read the next one, if only to see if Scarlet has learned anything about investigating a murder.

3.5 stars

Seaside village bookshops are one of the most common cozy tropes, I suppose, but they're appealing! I like Scarlett's determination and also her response to her ex-husband. The mystery resolves pretty well, though the plotting feels a bit thin at times. And I'm really over the trope of cozy main characters who ramble when they're upset. Could we be done with that one now? That said, I think Palm and Page and Scarlett both have promise, so I look forward to seeing their next outing.

Review copy provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I thoroughly enjoyed this cozy mystery. There were plot twists that I loved reading because it kept me guessing. The pace was good. You got to meet the characters and get to know them while solving the mystery.

it was a warm and cozy read with a beach setting so that's a plus one for this book but it was a such a cliche if you ask me. however like Taylor Swift once said "just because something's cliche doesn't mean its bad" this book too wasn't actually bad cliche. its just that when you've read way too many mysteries of all types the world has to offer, you kinda figure out who the culprit is halfway through the book. that being said i did like this and it was engaging enough that i didn't dnf it even though i was tempted to when i figured out who the killer was. the characters were wholesome too though a tad bit annoying but thats just human nature i guess.

This was my first cozy mystery by Samara Yew but it won't be the last! This was a quick read but definitely one that made me want to keep coming back to it when I wasn't reading.

One of my favourite things about cozies are the settings. So many of them take place in places where the setting itself almost becomes a character and this is definitely one of them. Scarlett is the owner of Palm Trees and Page Turners, a bookstore set on the beach in Oceanside, California. I'm not even a beach person and this book made me wish I was sitting on some sand under an umbrella. Definitely a great beach read!

Another essential element of a good cozy is interesting characters and this one didn't disappoint. I really liked Scarlett's character and confidence. The supporting characters, her roommate Lucia in particular, were also great. I'm really hoping we get to meet more of the Oceanside people in future books. I really enjoyed Samara Yew's writing style and I will definitely be keeping an eye out for announcements about future books.

Overall, this was a super fun mystery that is perfect to bring with you on vacation - especially if you're heading somewhere warm and sandy!

Thank you to Crooked Lane Books for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Scarlett Gardner’s dream was to open a bookshop in Southern California, but it soon becomes a nightmare when she finds the dead body of a customer—and becomes the prime suspect in Murder by the Seashore by Samara Yew.

I really enjoyed reading this cozy mystery. It felt realistic, and I liked the atmosphere of the beach and the setting at the bookshop.

The characters were believable, the mystery solid, and the story had enough twists to keep me reading. I would check out more books by this author. A very enjoyable cozy mystery read. I would recommend it.

#MurderbytheSeashore #NetGalley @crookedlanebks

A really enjoyable cozy! I enjoyed this book a lot. Lots of twists and shocking moments which I like.

Scarlett and Lucia's relationship as friends/roommates is incredible. It's the best of both worlds. I usually don't read too many beachy type books but this one really gave me great vacation -sitting- in- a- beach- chair- reading vibes.

It wasn't your standard cozy and I really appreciated that it veered off a bit from the typical norm.

This is my first book by this author but it's definitely given me another new favorite to add to my list.

Thanks to Net Galley, the publishers, and Samara Yew for the ability to read and review this book. All opinions are my own and completely honest.

One of my favourite cozy reads! It really had everything - book store by the ocean, interesting main character and a mystery that I didn't see coming. Can't wait to read more by the author!

Thank you to Netgallery and Crooked Lane Books for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Loved reading this book and author. New author for me. Really enjoyed the book and couldn't put ut down. Hope you enjoy it as well

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

"I tried to convince myself I was being ridiculous, probably working myself up over nothing. It had to be a piece of garbage or driftwood or something. Ugh. It was a hand. I was going to be sick." - Scarlett

Fun, intriguing cozy murder mystery on the steps of the seashore. This book is a quick, easy read that had me picking up clues and trying to guess the end up until the last few chapters.

Scarlett was a super likable character, in over her head even before discovering a body on the beach. Having recently opened a bookstore without her ex-boyfriend who was supposed to help her manage it, her life was already complicated before being thrown in the middle of a murder case.

"Over the past few months since Connor had left, I'd quickly realized there was more to running a bookshop than simply being a huge bookworm." - Scarlett

Thankfully, Scarlett has perseverance and determination in spades as she tackles owning a popular small business and trying to solve a murder as the number one suspect. And it didn't hurt to have a kick-ass lawyer and roommate in her corner when things got serious.

"It wasn't long before I heard shouting down the hall. I recognized that voice. And Lucia was yelling in Spanish, meaning she was really mad. I almost felt sorry for the officers who had to deal with her right now. Almost." - Scarlett

The name of the store, Palm Trees and Page Turners was delightful, I would love for this store to be real! There was lots of humor, kooky side characters, and enough red herrings to make almost anyone Scarlett encountered a suspect. I loved the town of Oceanside and that small-town feeling of nosy neighbors being in everyone’s business. I can definitely see how this book set up the possibility of a series. Overall, a great cozy mystery read!


*I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you, NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the opportunity.

This was an adorable book! Scarlett, the main character and sleuth started to develop throughout the book. Her relationship with her roommate Lucia was fun and sisterly. I enjoyed the side characters and hope to see them return in future books. The author kept me guessing until the end and the book included some red herrings that pointed towards the wrong murderer. I personally love that in a cozy. About 2/3 through the book, tension started to build and I was glued to the book.The author had me on the edge of my seat until the very end. I loved the other storyline that was woven through and not solved until the finish line. Don't want to spoil that for readers! Overall, a great start to a new series.

Thank you Netgalley for allowing me the opportunity to review this book. My review was 100% based on the book. Having it gifted was just a bonus!

Great cosy. What could be better than and bookshop, a murder and a sunny seaside location in California.

Scarlett, the owner of a bookstore, finds a dead woman while out on a walk. She then learns she is to inherit this woman's money yet she does not know the woman. That makes her an instant suspect. Great start to a good book. Loving Scarlet as she finds and works her way through this crazy situation.

This is a story that builds throughout and takes you on a ride with all the characters in this story. It is a story with twists, turns and plenty of intrigue. It kept me interested as it wasn't predictable and it was easy to read as although there was much going on it flowed really well.

I loved it and look forward to reading more from this author soon.

Thank you NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

This is not my typical read, but I saw this eye catching book cover and it made stop to see what the story was about. When I saw that the main character was a book store owner that was located on a beach, and she has to clear her own name from being a murder suspect...well, how could I resist it? I had a feeling I would enjoy stepping away from the normal for this book and I was right. I found this book to be an entertaining and easy read. It even made me wish I was sitting on that beach reading this book. This book proves it is a good thing to step away from the normal and give new things a try.

This is the first book in the Murder By The Seashore series and the first that I have read by this author and it won't be the last. It is a great story. Scarlett loves her bookstore and is doing everything possible to make it a success when unfortunately she winds up in a murder investigation. To make matters worse her partner and boyfriend decides he's leaving for greener pastures things really get tight. When one of her customer winds up dead under the pier of her bookshop now the police are involved.

adopted, amateur-sleuth, bookseller, California, cozy-mystery, family-dynamics, first-in-series, friends, friendship, law-enforcement, murder, murder-investigation, new-series, poisons, *****

Scarlett came from Arizona and moved to the California coast to follow a boyfriend who dumped her after a short time. She lives with a friend who is a young lawyer (good thing since she gets arrested), her adopted parents live in Arizona, and her architect sister lives in Australia. Walking on the beach she discovers a dead woman and soon finds out that the woman left her a large inheritance. Which is why the police have her on their suspect list as the victim was actually poisoned. Let the sleuthing begin! Good investigation, delightful characters, clear worldbuilding, and a nice beach read.
I requested and received an EARC from Crooked Lane Books via NetGalley. Thank you

Scarlett Gardner is living the dream - sort of. She's opened a bookstore by the ocean in Southern California with her boyfriend, and feels like the world is finally unfolding as it should! However, things quickly fall apart as the boyfriend leaves for greener pastures, and she not only finds a dead body under the pier, she quickly becomes a suspect in the woman's death.

This is a nicely plotted beginning to a series. There are quirky supporting characters, lots of red herrings flung about with abandon and a likeable heroine. If you are a fan of Ellery Adams' Secret, Book and Scone Society, you will enjoy this. The oceanside setting is particularly well-captured, and it would be an ideal book to pop into your beach bag.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with this title. It also didn't give me a lot to grab on to. Thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane books for the e-arc, in exchange for an honest review.

Scarlett owns a small bookstore in California by the ocean. She loves it there. She discovers a body in the ocean and things quickly spiral out of control.

I adored this book. The characters were all well written and enjoyable to read. It is just the kind of murder mystery that I love to read. The story flowed nicely along from start to finish. This was the debut novel from this author and I can't wait to read more.

I did knock one star because I thought the end was slightly obvious but overall I really enjoyed reading it. I hope this isn't the last we have seen or heard from Scarlett and co.

Oceanside, California is a quaint seaside town with loads of lovely little shops. Scarlett Gardner moved there to open a bookshop with a boyfriend who promptly ran off with the money. So imagine Scarlett's surprise when she discovers a dead body and finds out the deceased woman had bequeathed her entire inheritance to Scarlett. Some people are happier about this state of affairs than others, but who among them was responsible for murder?

This book checks all the boxes for me. Independent young woman as a main character, fun and quirky BFF/roommate, kind older lady friend who works with the main character and kind of takes her under her wing, curmudgeonly police detective sternly warning the main character to stay out of it. Oh, and books. Lots and lots of books. And people who like to read. There's a potential love interest, a grouchy fellow business owner who may be a bit on the dangerous side, and a fun apartment. Oceanside has a great little diner, enough shady characters to keep things interesting, and the beach complete with historic pier.

It appears that this is the author's first book. I'm impressed! Hopefully this series will continue and maybe the author will write a few more to go along with it. If so, I will definitely be up for reading them all!

Thank you to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.

Murder by the Seashore (California Bookshop 1)
Samara Yew


This book appears to be Mrs. Yew’s first published book. For a first-time or even a multi-published author, this is an excellent mystery! Murder, Jealousy, Betrayal...

The story opens in a charming new beachside bookstore, Palm Trees & Paige Turners. Scarlett is the owner-operator after being summarily dropped by her co-worker and boyfriend Connor. She has made the best of a bad situation finding comfort in her friends and hiring Evelyn Maxwell, a detective's wife to help her run the new bookstore. One night a well-dressed lady comes in at closing to buy a Jane Austen novel. The next morning she is found murdered! So begins the adventure.

We have lawyers of questionable behavior, a closed adoption adoptee, some manipulative users, family secrets, and last but most importantly quality friends!

This is a straight mystery without any romantic involvement. No descriptive or lewd behavior or language.

What a wonderful whodunit! 5*****



Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC.