This is such a delightful series that I love revisiting with each new book. The clambakes make me wish I were there. Julia is a wonderful amateur sleuth who's at it again. A great cozy mystery that I hope others will try. Following the Snowden family will feel like coming home.

I kept putting this book down -- which is a clear sign that I'm not going to get through it. The location had the potential to be strong enough to feel like an omnipresent character, instead it felt flat. I also struggled to care about the characters. I'm not ready to give up on this author; however I did with this book.

Maine! It's summer, and in this very readable cozy, Julia Snowden is preparing for a busy summer season. This was another fun read in the series, I was kept guessing with the addition of a couple new characters.

This book was fine, but not great. I enjoyed the characters, but it took too long to get to the actual mystery. My other issue is that after the book was finished, and I had read a few others, I found that (while I remembered the general idea of the mystery, I couldn't remember who the perpetrator had been. I think that was my main issue with this book, that it wasn't very memorable.

Princess Fuzzypants here:
It is not often a book has such a twist that it takes the reader completely by surprise but this one did it. I was reading an enjoyable but not remarkable story with interesting characters, lots of good backstory and a murder. That is when things get really interesting and the entire tale is turned on its head. I loved it.
Somehow, without ruining the previous pages, the entire narrative changed and the suspence was not just the investigation into the murder but how all the characters would react to the new norm. It was almost like having several independent stories running at the same time and overlapping. It could have been a flop but it worked. In fact, I wanted to know more at the end of the book. I hope some of the storylines that are left open will have follow up.
Of course, having a 30 pound Maine Coon named Le Roi as one of the characters will always get my vote. I love how many stories set in Maine have us in them. We are the State cat after all.
I give this five purrs and two paws up.

I have been reading this series since the beginning and I enjoyed this visit to Busman's Harbor. In this one a classmate of Julia has arrived on a mega yacht she is redecorating. When the reclusive owner is found dead on board Wyatt is the main suspect. Every one asks Julia to help solve the crime and clear Wyatt. The author does a very good job with the Maine background. The Snowden Family Clambake business is getting ready to open and recipes are included in the back. The mystery was OK. There were not a lot of suspects and it was easy to solve. In this book I enjoyed visiting the family more than the mystery. This series should be read in order. Enjoy

Stowed Away
A Maine Clambake Mystery, Book #6
Barbara Ross
5 Stars

Synopsis:

It’s June in Busman’s Harbor, Maine, and Julia Snowden and her family are working hard to get their authentic Maine clambake business ready for summer. Preparations must be put on hold, however, when a mysterious yacht drops anchor in the harbor—and delivers an unexpected dose of murder . . .

When Julia’s old prep school rival Wyatt Jayne invites her to dinner on board her billionaire fiancé’s decked-out yacht, Julia arrives to find a sumptuous table set for two—and the yachtsman dead in his chair. Suspicion quickly falls on Wyatt, and Julia’s quest to dredge up the truth leads her into the murky private world of a mega-rich recluse who may not have been all that he seemed . . . (Goodreads)


Review:

The characters are well developed and well rounded. I enjoyed spending time with Julia and Chris, it was like visiting old friends. Julia does not hesitate to snoop around and try to gather clues to help solve the murder and I think she is pretty good at being a detective. I felt like the secondary characters added a lot to the story. One of the things that I liked most about this book is the family ties and closeness that came through while reading.

The writing style flows smoothly and the book is an easy read. The author is very talented in her descriptive writing. Busman’s Harbor, Maine, is a place that I would like to visit. I like the small town feel of it and I enjoy that everyone looks out for each other and everyone is so nosy.

The mystery was carried on well throughout the book and it was not an easy one to solve. There were enough suspects to consider and clues to sift through that I was left to keep guessing until the reveal at the end.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well plotted cozy mystery. This is a great addition to a great series and it is well worth your reading time.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, Kensington Books, and NetGalley, which I greatly appreciate.

Julia Snowden and her family are busy getting ready for the start of the Maine clambake season. The family also has to decide what to do about the historic home that was damaged in a fire. When their friend Quentin Topper brings an architect to view the house, Julia is surprised to see that Wyatt Jayne is her former prep school nemesis. Then Wyatt invites Julia and her friend Chris to dinner on board her reclusive billionaire friend's enormous yacht, the Garbo. The next night, Julia gets a frantic phone call from Wyatt and arrives on the yacht to find a sumptuous table set for two and the host dead in his chair. Julia sees a distinctive diamond ring nestled among the lobster dish but it then goes missing. Wyatt is among the chief suspects and Quentin asks Julia to help clear her. Was the killer another member of the yacht crew?

This was another enjoyable entry in the Maine Clambake mystery series.

Thank you for letting me review this book ..
I have enjoyed reading all of Barbara Ross books and this one didn't disappoint they get better each time .
Julia and her family are getting ready to open the summer clam bake , it had enough twists and turns to keep you guess .
Cannot wait for her next book to come out . Many thanks

Love this series-it’s clambake, friends, atmosphere and this one has an unusual plot. I would like to see Wyatt and the person who was going to propose return in the next novel

Barbara Ross continues her Maine Clambake mysteries in Stowed Away. Julia who operates clambakes on the family island in Maine has asked Wyatt Jayne, her high school nemesis, to look into restoring the family mansion on the island. After boarding a billionaire's yacht for dinner, they discover the billionaire dead at the table. Whodunit? Who involved a famous jewel in the crime? Twisty plot with lots of red herrings. Corkscrew romantic relationships among the crew and the folks on land. Enjoyable read.

I have really enjoyed all the books in this series, and Barbara Ross has penned another winner. I loved that this book went back to Busman's Harbor, Maine. It’s June and the Snowden Family Clambake on Morrow Island is getting ready to open for summer season. When Julia's mother got her share of the sale of an antique piece of jewllery, she is considering either renovation or restoring Windsholme, the family home that is on the island. Quentin Tupper brings in Architect Wyatt Jayne to look it over and estimate the costs to renovate. A yacht belonging to billionaire recluse, Geoffrey Bower has anchored in the marina and it seems that Wyatt is in a relationship with the owner. Once again, there is a murder and Julia is asked to help investigate to clear certain people.

The usual characters are once again around including the rest of the family, Chris (Julia's boyfriend), the police investigators that we have grown to know and love and some of the local townfolk. It makes me feel like I have gone home again. This story had Julia, Chris and Quentin opening up and sharing some secrets that give us more information about their backgrounds and how that has affected who they have become. This was a good story that had a lot of surprises that I never would have predicted. I did figure out who the murderer was before the end of the book, but not much before. This was a well plotted story with great pacing and characters. I recommend this story to any and all cozy mystery lovers.

This is the sixth book in Barbara Ross’s Maine Clambake Mystery series . t I do recommend highly the entire series. I adore this series as reading these books is like visiting Maine and old friends. The author has a gift for location, well crafted mystery and great characters.
In this next in series our protagonist Julie and her family are preparing their clambake business for a busy summer. A mysterious yacht comes to the harbor and Julie is soon invited aboard for lunch by a old friend. Once on board they find her friend's boyfriend dead at the table. Julie steps up to investigate and soon finds he had a mysterious connection to her own family as well as quite a nefarious past.
This next in series is non stop action! i was unable to part with this book until the end. I found the mystery very well crafted and the surprise ending was thrilling. A great addition to this well loved series.

Thank you to the publisher for the advance copy which did not influence my personal review.
I look forward to the next in series.

Barbara Ross has done it again. Reading these books is like visiting with old friends. Catching up with the crew in Busman's Harbor is just as fun as trying to figure out who committed the murder. With each entry in this series, we get to know more about the characters and their background. The character development in this story was actually stronger than the mystery element. It was nice to see what made Quentin and Flynn tick and to see their relationships with Julia grow and change. I would definitely recommend to others, but would suggest that they read the other books in the series first.

Solid well-written mystery with interesting characters.

Julia Snowden and her family are getting ready to open the family's Maine clambake business for the summer. The fire last summer in the mansion on the island left them with the decision whether to rebuild or the tear it down. As they consider their options, the suspicious death aboard a mega yacht in the harbor embroils Julia in the investigation.

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

“Stowed Away” earns 5/5 Lobster Salads…Murderously Fun!

“June [and murder] is bustin’ out all over!” This exciting sixth book in Barbara Ross’s Maine Clambake Mystery series has made me a big fan. “Stowed Away” starts out with the delightful Julia Snowden and “friend” Chris Durand setting up Morrow Island for the summer business on which the Snowden Clambake Company relies. Several family members are returning to pitch in adding to an entertaining bunch. Quentin Tupper, a family friend, made a large investment last summer and is now a partner in the family business. He is also, along with Julia’s mother Jacqueline, eager to renovate the family’s ancestral home, Windsholme, perched on the island’s bluff despite Julia’s thoughts that it is impractical to spend that much money on what should be extensive renovations. The estate has been uninhabited and not maintained since the 20s, and last summer’s fire has made matters worse. Enter Julia’s prep school nemesis! ‘Susan’ Wyatt Jayne, a well-known architect, is brought in to evaluate the viability and projected cost of the project. That evening Julia, Chris, and Quentin join Wyatt and her reclusive boyfriend and billionaire Geoffrey Bower for dinner on his yacht, a yacht the size of a football field, but instead the quiet evening ends with an annoying local protest…then a murder.

I was engaged throughout the entire book with Julia’s subsequent investigation (amateur, but realistic, and she does not circumvent, but works cooperatively with law enforcement) and character interactions (delightful friends and family dynamics, evolving love interest, and resolving the past). Protests against the one-percenters? Alleged financial shenanigans? Greed? Secrets? Lies? Barbara Ross has penned a clever mystery with several suspects and motives that challenged my inner “Sherlock,” and the final reveal was definitely a “Wow!” moment. Her compelling descriptions and dialog brought the environment, the mansion and yacht, emotions, and various personalities to life along with the interesting ins and outs of the Snowden Clambake business and life of the rich and reclusive. As a newbie, now a fan, I never felt out of the loop. Barbara provided enough background information and references to the past, although no spoilers, to make my experience rewarding…I highly recommend this book, and the series is quickly becoming a favorite.

A favorite part in many culinary-themed cozies is the inclusion of easy-to-follow recipes. I especially enjoy recipes that are actually mentioned in the story. Inspired by Julia’s favorite chef Genevieve your dinner party can enjoy Tarragon Ricotta Gnocchi with Lobster Veloute or test out at home Herbed Halibut Sous-Vide. Julia’s sister Livvie fixes for the family her Oven-Roasted Beer-Can Chicken with Potatoes, and with the recipe you can, too!

I really enjoyed this mystery as Barbara Ross shows us the everyday life of a working family in Busman’s Harbor Maine right before the tourist season. Julia has an old friend show up who wasn’t exactly a bff in high school with her rich boyfriend who has parked his yacht on in the harbor. Murder, a diamond ring, and a great story!I really liked the characters and the unfolding of the mystery all the way to the end. This is the first book I have read in this series and will need to check out the rest of them!

Stowed Away by Barbara Ross is the sixth book in the Maine Clambake Mystery series. I have read previous books in the series. While it is not necessary, it is helpful. Julia is busy getting ready for summer clambake season for her family's business. An old school acquaintance of Julia's comes to look at the old family home with the possibility of renovating it. Wyatt invites Julia to the yacht of her reclusive, very rich boyfriend. When the man is found dead the following day, Julia is pulled into the mystery. I like the Maine setting for this series. The characters are strong and always evolving which is important as a series progresses. The mystery in this book had many twists and turns right up until the end!

It's June in Busman's Harbor, and Julia Snowden and her family are preparing for the summer tourist season, when people will flock to their private island and have a real Maine clambake while enjoying the season. But on their island stands the shell of the home Julia spent all her summers growing up; decayed by age and fire. Since her mother came into quite a bit of money, she wants to restore the home, but Julia wants to tear it down; still, her mother is willing to see an architect that their friend Quentin has said is in town and can possibly help them.

Imagine Julia's surprise when the friend turns out to be an old school roommate of Julia's - and not one fondly remembered. While she keeps her thoughts to herself, she still doesn't trust the woman. But Wyatt Jayne acts as if she doesn't remember the incident that still stands clear in Julia's mind, and when plans for the house have been barely discussed, she invites everyone to dinner aboard her boyfriend's yacht, which is in harbor for renovations. After Julia meets the boyfriend - Geoffrey Bower - she's surprised that Wyatt would even be attracted to him, but likes him nonetheless.

But it's the next day that even more surprises are in store. While Julia and her family (and boyfriend Chris) are discussing what to do with the house - restore, renovate or tear down - that she receives a tearful phone call from Wyatt that something's occurred and she needs her at the yacht. Julia and Chris race to the harbor, and find an almost hysterical Wyatt - and a very dead Geoffrey with a hideous grin on his face.

But this is not all - a crew member has disappeared along with a diamond ring that Julia glimpsed on the table; her niece Page has a new friend with green eyes the exact color of Chris's; Quentin seems to be closer to Wyatt than he's saying; and she also discovers that her friend Genevieve is the chef on the yacht and was hoping for a romantic weekend with Detective Flynn, Julia's once nemesis on the local police force. But when the police start looking at Wyatt as a serious suspect in the obvious murder, Quentin asks Julia to help her, and she reluctantly agrees - with the help of an unlikely source, Flynn, who's also on the outside due to his relationship with Genevieve. But there's another surprise on the horizon, and it's one that might change the game for everyone involved...

This is the sixth book in the Maine Clambake Mysteries, and I believe that it's the best one yet. There's the mystery of the ring, which no one seems to have seen but Julia but she knows it's connected somehow, yet since the boat was deserted at the time Wyatt found the body - Geoffrey had given everyone the night off - there's suspects aplenty but sorting through them isn't easy since none of them are inclined to talk and all of them had apparent alibis for the evening. But Julia plods on, determined for the sake of her friendship with Quentin that she'll do her best to find the truth of the matter.

I truly enjoyed reading this book. The inhabitants of Busman's Harbor are a varied bunch, and Ms. Ross has a way of bringing them to life, giving each and every character a distinct nature that contribute to the story. The town she has created seems warm and inviting, and while tourists are welcomed during the summer, it's apparent that those From Away aren't part of their circle which envelops only friends and family, those who they care about and hold dear. It's this feeling that gives the books its personality and makes it a wonderful read.

We watch as Julia once again uses her wit to sort through the clues - which are plenty - and come to the heart of the matter. The series grows with each book, and in this one her relationship with Detective Flynn goes through a change, one for the good, as they realize that they need each other and are working toward the same goal in the end.

The story moves at a quick pace, the writing flows, the setting is descriptive and vivid, the mystery is well-thought out and keeps you looking for any evidence along with Julia. I also like the fact that the police are not cartoon buffoons who can't get anything right; both Flynn and Binder know what they're doing; the difference is that they're looking in other areas, and since Julia's not a cop, she doesn't have to follow the same rules; and it was nice to see that Flynn actually listened to - and believed - her theory about the murder.

In this book we once again watch Julia as she navigates her relationship with Chris; we learn more about Chris's family and more about Quentin; we learn that not all secrets are good and that what seems to be perfect isn't always so. It will be interesting to see where these are taken in the next installment.

As always, Ms. Ross never disappoints: When the ending comes and the murder was solved it was all believable and gratifying. The tale was intriguing and the clues were, for the most part, overt; the threads of the mystery were tightly woven and it all came together nicely. This can be read as a stand alone, since there is enough information where you don't feel muddled, but since this is such an enjoyable series I would recommend that you read them all. For myself, I eagerly look forward to the next. Highly recommended.

I was intrigued with the cover. The location and the setting took me back to my visits to Maine and enjoying a clambake with business associates. It was easy for me to envision the story.

The author did a great job of making the characters and the locale come to life.

I enjoyed the characters Julia and her family were close-knit . . .
as close probably as any family that works together could be.

I did feel a little dis-jointed with the characters because Stowed Away is book 6 in the series. I didn't really connect with Julia's family members and the whole plot of the burned family home that Julia's mother is considering rebuilding with income she received from an inheritance.

The inheritance which mom sold previously is the main plot of the story. This reader was left wanting more and wanting the whole experience of the entire series

Stowed Away is written as a stand alone. I had no problem catching on to what was going on and who was who like Genevieve the chef on board the yacht that apparently was accused of murder previously. Poor Genevieve can't seem to get a break as it seems to the victim her boss is poisoned.

It doesn't take long to clear Genevieve but to Julia's dismay her ex-room mate from boarding school becomes the main person of interest and Julia is asked to snoop around and find out who really did the guy in.

As everyone family and friends practically beg Julia to help with the investigation she struggles because of her past relationship with Wyatt who wasn't such a nice teenager.

And then Julia is a little anxious about her growing relationship with her boyfriend Chris who isn't quite up front about some things from the past.

There are twists and turns keeping the reader interested all the way to the end to find out 'who dun it'. And how Julia figures it out!

If you like a good clean cozy this one is for you!
There is no language and no bedroom scenes.

Stowed Away is the first book I've read by Barbara Ross. I looked forward to completing the series and reading more.

I received a complimentary copy from Great Escapes Tours.