You know a book is really good when you find yourself wishing you could go back and start the series from the very beginning. A strong mystery and a solid likable cast of characters made this very enjoyable to escape into.
The beginning of tourist season for Morrow Island and the Snowden family is always busy.
Adding to the stress and excitement is consideration about rebuilding the family mansion on the island. Everyone seems to have different opinions.
A person from Julia's past brings an even more turbulent emotional rollercoaster into play and causes secrets about Quentin to the surface. Even if you have not read any of the previous books in this series you won't be lost. It will make you want to move them to the top of your reading list.
Relationship issues, troublesome coincidences and a mysterious billionaire all add to the mystery.
A full five star read with multiple twists.

This is the first book I have read by this author. At first I was a little confused about the characters, but as I got into the story, I really enjoyed it. It was a good mystery. An old school mate of Julia's shows up and Julia isn't really happy to see her. The school mate, Wyatt, had not been very nice to her and Julia is wondering if she is the same person she was back then. When Wyatt invites them to have dinner with her billionaire boyfriend aboard his yacht, they accept. The next day, Julia receives a call from Wyatt saying that her boyfriend has been murdered. As Julia tries to help make sense of why he was murdered, several revelations come to light. One of which is that the man who was murdered is not the billionaire, but an imposter. Where is the real billionaire and who murdered the pretender?

The sixth in the Maine Clambake Mystery series by Barbara Ross, Stowed Away features smart and perceptive Julia Snowden as protagonist and amateur sleuth. She is part of the Snowden family annual sail and clambake at their little tourist retreat on Morrow Island off of Busman's Harbor twice a day for the summer season. During the off-season, she is part owner of a diner with Quentin Tupper.

The old family mansion on the island, Windsholme, deteriorated for lack of funds and then recently suffered a fire, rendering it uninhabitable until the family inherits sufficient funds to rehab. Mom Snowden is deliberating whether the old place would be worth renovating when a former prep school acquaintance of Julia, now architect, anchors in Busman's Harbor with billionaire Geoffrey Bower. The architect, Wyatt Jayne, has created quite the reputation for restorations. Quentin prompts Jacqueline Snowden to engage Wyatt to additionally consider whether Windsholme has the bones to undergo a rehab.

Unfortunately, the reclusive billionaire Bower doesn't live long enough to proceed. The yacht's chef, Genevieve and Wyatt herself becomes a suspect.

The book can function well as a stand alone. You get to know Julia as she tries to juggle her mother preparing for the clambake, delve deeply into the yacht personnel, her boyfriend Chris, and both Wyatt and Tom, a friend and state trooper with whom she has collaborated previously.

As the story progresses, you begin making assumptions--but you'd be wrong. This story includes a plot twist so deliciously different, you'll find yourself grinning and bobbing your head. Of course! But it wouldn't have occurred to you to even consider the possibility.

I totally loved the climax! I had theories, but wouldn't have guessed this one. I actually had to chuckle--you GOT me, Barbara! I think I can see where this might go in the seventh of the series, however, when it does, I want to be there.

I downloaded this digital offering from Kensington and NetGalley and was absolutely thrilled and delighted to read and review this book. Recommended for all who love cozy mysteries, thrillers, suspense, women or amateur sleuths, clambakes or coastal town stories. Sit down with a hot beverage, maybe a fish cracker or two, and treat yourself!

Stayed Away by Barbara Ross is a cosy set on the coast of Maine. Reading this really brought the atmosphere of the Maine coast to life. Julia and her family run a seasonal clam bake restaurant on an island off the coast. In the process of deciding whether or not to renovate, restore or tear down a historic home on the property they hire someone from Julia's past that she has less than fond memories concerning. Wyatt Jane is staying on the yacht of her reclusive millionaire boyfriend. Julia agrees to look into the mystery and discovers more than she expected. I enjoyed this book especially the glimpses of a world where locals are very different than the part timers.

Another enjoyable addition to the series. There were some surprising twists in the mystery, although some twists spoiled upcoming twists (I'm not sure if that makes sense, butt it's the only way I can think of to describe it). I'm curious if some of the revelations will be addressed in later books.

Solid, steady plot merging the Snowden Family issues with solving the murder of recluse billionaire Geoffrey Bower.

The connectedness between all of the characters has developed into a warm family, whether blood family or town friends.

Told in first person by Julia Snowden, this book ends with recipes from the Clambake.

Julia is only one terrific character in this classic cozy- she works with her family in a clambake business in Maine. How cool is that? Well, she's also an amateur sleuth and in this installment she finds herself helping her old school mate (not a friend, a mate) Wyatt when the latter is accused of murdering her reclusive boyfriend, Geoffrey on his yacht. There's lots of money at stake so there are twists and turns (but nothing too tough). I'd only read one of the earlier books but I was perfectly happy with this one because Ross gives you just enough (and not too much) info about what's gone before to enjoy this one. The characters are well rounded, there is humor, and there are recipes. Thanks to net galley for the ARC- this is a fun read.

Wow! Stowed Away, the 6th Maine Clambake Mystery by cozy author Barbara Ross, had me turning pages so quickly towards the end I thought I might break the button on my Kindle! I have thoroughly enjoyed every single book in this series, but this one is just so well-written that I was on the edge of my seat from beginning to end. We join Julia Snowden and her family and friends as they prepare to welcome summer and the tourist season to Busman's Harbor, Maine. Wyatt, an old high school friend of Julia's, and her billionaire boyfriend, Geoffrey, are parked in his mega yacht in the harbor awaiting a retrofit, but soon after their arrival Geoffrey is found dead at his dinner table, and Julia discovers that he had a heretofore unknown connection to her family. Incredibly fast-paced, Stowed Away keeps the reader intrigued from start to finish, and Ms. Ross does a fine job of continuing the relationships between the main and recurring characters in the series. A+++

This series keeps getting better with each book. In the sixth book, we find Julia Showden and her family back in Busman Harbor getting ready to open the family business on the island. A high school classmate indicates Julia and friends aboard the yacht of a recluse billionaire for dinner. The next night the friend needs help she has found the billionaire dead on the yacht. Be sure to allow yourself plenty of time to read it in sitting. The twists and turns will keep reading until the end. There is one turn I didn't see coming. I highly recommend this book and series. Recipes are included.

Disclosure: I received a free copy from Kennington Books through NetGalley for an honest review. I would like to thank them for this opportunity to read and review this book. The opinions expressed are my own.

This is another great novel that grabbed my attention immediately in this well-written and fast-paced drama. The tone was very comfortable making it an easy read to follow. The mystery was staged to perfection with plenty of suspects and a simmering of clues with a few surprising twists that kept me intrigued in all that was happening. From the introduction of Wyatt, to Page’s friend, to Julia’s search for answers, to Quentin’s past, to more character backstory, and to a well-rounded tale where pivotal roles were key to how well this story was told, and in particular, the outcome. Of course, any sighting of Gus is a bonus to me. This is a smorgasbord of delightfully engaging narrative that whets the appetite for more time with the citizens of Busman’s Harbor, Maine. This is one of the best book in the series and I can’t wait to see where we go next with Julia, Chris and the rest of the gang.

Stowed Away takes us back to Busman's Harbor with Julia and company. Julia is hard at work preparing for the upcoming clambake season. When a blast form the past enters the scene unexpectedly to evaluate whether the mansion on the island is salvageable, Julia is less than thrilled. Sooner rather than later, a murder ensues and Julia finds herself right in the middle of the investigation.
The thing I love most about this series is the mystery is always so strongly written. The author always takes you on an elaborate path full of twists and turns but does it in a way that the reader does not get lost in the midst. Julia is such a wonderful character, so wonderfully constructed and complex. This series is fast becoming one of my all time favorites with each new installment.

I did not see the twist coming that turns this mystery upside down - and makes it even more intriguing. Julia Snowden and her family own Snowden Family Clambake Company, a firm that stages a daily clambake for tourists on their island just off the coast of Maine during the season. Also on the island is the architecturally significant family mansion, Windsholme, which Julia's mother wants to renovate for the family to use. Wyatt Jayne, the consultant who is interested in working with Julia's mother to oversee the renovation is boarding school mate of Julia's that she doesn't like and doesn't trust. Then, add to the blend Wyatt's billionaire boyfriend, who has come to Busman's Harbor to have his yacht refitted and is soon murdered.

Stowed Away is a very well conceived, complex mystery. Barbara Ross weaves a compelling story with realistic characters, expressive dialogue and a page-turning pace. I always look forward to a Maine Clambake Mystery. It is so comfortable to relax and catch up with the folks that reside in Busman's Harbor while they work to solve the latest mystery. Ms. Ross has created a community inhabited by genuine folks who are well worth getting to know. In fact, Ms. Ross's skill seems to grow with each Maine Clambake adventure because the stories and writing just keep getting better.

Stowed Away is the sixth book in the Maine Clambake Mystery series written by Barbara Ross. Ms. Ross has written a well-plotted murder mystery with a cast of realistic, three dimensional characters. The story moves at a steady pace and has enough twists, turns, and suspects to keep the reader involved and kept me guessing until the reveal. Ms. Ross provides great character background that allows this book to be read as a standalone. I highly recommend this book for readers who enjoy a well-crafted, clean mystery.

Julia Snowden and her boyfriend, Chris Durand, live in Busman's Harbor, Maine. During the off-season, they operate their fine dining restaurant and bar, Gus Too’s, in Gus Farnham’s diner that is only open for breakfast and lunch. During the summer months, Julia helps with her family’s business, the Snowden Family Clambake. Jacqueline, Julia’s mother, recently received a package containing a family heirloom, a valuable black diamond necklace, known as the Black Widow. Jacqueline sold it at an auction for a large amount of money and set aside her portion to repair Windsholm, their mansion on Morrow Island, where the family spent their summers, which was recently damaged by a fire. Quentin Tupper, a family friend and part owner in the Snowden’s business, brings Susan ‘Wyatt’ Jayne, an architect, to look at the structure and help the family determine if it should be restored, renovated, or possibly torn down. Geoffrey Bower is a recluse and the billionaire owner of a mega-yacht, the Garbo, which is docked awaiting a refit designed by Wyatt. Geoffrey planned a romantic dinner for Wyatt on the Garbo, but when she arrives, she finds him slumped over at the table. After unsuccessfully trying to contact Quentin, she reaches out to Julia. She spots a unique diamond ring in a lobster claw on the table, but no one else sees it and it disappears before the police arrive. Julia has a history with Wyatt, who was one of the ‘mean girls’ from school, but when Quentin asks her to help prove Wyatt’s innocence in Geoffrey’s murder, she can’t turn him down. Sergeant Tom Flynn is in love with Genevieve, who is Julia’s friend, the chef on the Garbo, and a murder suspect. Julia and Tom work together off the record, but share the information they learn with Lieutenant Binder, Tom’s Maine State Police partner.

I received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley and voluntarily reviewed it.

Stowed Away by Barbara Ross is an interesting read. Julia Snowden, the main character, has a little more depth than your average protagonist sleuth. The story of her youth is one I imagine many can relate to; it has shaped her adulthood. I enjoyed reading this because unlike many female leads she doesn't come across as weak in her adult relationships. From the very beginning when Julia runs into her old nemesis to the end when she solves the crime the reader sees her grow. Most of the story takes place on or near the water in a small Maine shipbuilding town, where Julia's family has lived for multiple generations. These characters and the crew of the yacht make for some very interesting, funny, and scary scenes. Overall this was an engaging, fast cozy murder mystery.

A well-written, quick, enjoyable read! Busman's Harbor is the perfect setting for a cozy mystery: a small, quiet, seaside town in Maine where all the locals know each other and the Snowden family clambake draws visitors from all over. Julia Snowden helps run the clambake and has a history - and a knack - for sleuthing. When a newcomer is found murdered and two of her friends are potential suspects, Julia has to investigate. The plot is believable and kept me guessing until the end. Although Stowed Away is part of an awesome series, I think it easily stands alone for anyone who hasn't read the previous books. I love this series and hope it continues for a long time! I received an ARC of this book and happily provide my honest opinion of it.

Another good cozy mystery in the series. Julia is preparing the summer island for the family lobster bakes, and an old friend (prep school enemy) shows up to be the main architect to renovate her old family mansion on the island. When the billionaire boyfriend ends up dead the plot thickens. Julia is back to help solve another mystery, and overall a good one. I enjoyed this one more than the previous, so the series is getting stronger. Still do not see any sparks with Chris, and not sure why they are together, but otherwise a good story and one I highly recommend.