Everly Swan owns a house in Charm, North Carolina, where she has a tea cafe set up on the first floor while living upstairs. Halloween is coming and the ghost tours of Charm are a popular event. Unfortunately, Every finds a murdered woman plus the ghost of a creepy sailor starts following her around halfher. This book was definitely a four and a half star one for me, a d I have loved all the ones that I have read in the series. Every is bright and inquisitive without doing too many dangerous things. Sun, sand, tea and ghosts all combine for a couple hours of reading pleasure. Enjoy!

I love reading about Everly and her family, along with Grady and Denver. Another fantastic story with very real elements of childhood loss. Great story!

I like this series. I enjoy the small town of Charm, the interesting and relatable Swan women, the delicious goodies and ice teas served at the shop, and the mystery that delves more into local legends. As a bookseller, I am especially charmed by all the scenes that take place in the local bookshop. It seems that the series might be taking a bit more of a supernatural twist in the coming books so it will be interesting to see how that plays out.

I have dipped in and out of this series and kicked things off in book 2 with No Good Tea Goes Unpunished, followed by book three Tide and Punishment. I have yet to read book one, Live and Let Chai and book four, A Call For Kelp.

In this one, Closely Harbored Secrets, the fifth instalment in Bree Baker's Seaside Café Mystery series, protagonist Everly Swan is closing her seaside café and iced tea shop, Sun, Sand and Tea early to help out her great aunts with their annual Halloween haunted walking tour. However, when one of the ghostly actors playing a local legend is found dead, Everly becomes the main suspect as her name was scratched into the dirt nearby.

What highly entertaining mix of mystery and mayhem! This wonderful cozy mystery, set on the small island of Charm, North Carolina was both compelling and enjoyable. It made perfect reading for me between other more intense novels. It was funny, witty and quirky with a fantastic plot. The characters were very well drawn by Bree Baker, and I especially liked Everly’s great-aunts, Clara and Fran for their spirit-lifting moments.

This book was a great package of fun and excitement and it was a perfect book to enjoy with a drink of specially blended tea and a homemade scrumptious treat or two. I really appreciated the clever writing from Bree Baker in this novel which kept me intrigued right to the end. The conclusion was a surprise and the author did a wonderful job wrapping up the story.

With its great story and wonderful characters, I would recommend Closely Harbored Secrets to all cozy mystery lovers out there who are wanting an easy weekend read. I hope it won't be very long before I'm back visiting Charm and Sun, Sand and Tea.

I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Poisoned Pen Press via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.

Although I had a difficult time getting into this one at first, I ended up enjoying it. I love Everly's iced tea business, and the little island of Charm, NC is adorable. The murder was clever and fun to solve, and i'd recommend this to anyone who loves cozy mysteries.

I loved this one. I have loved all of the books in this series and find the characters and town to being so cozy and charming. This one was especially enjoyable because it featured a historical mystery and I am a sucker for those. I loved the intrigue, the way the murder took place and all of the little historical details that led us to the conclusion. I also loved the relationship developments in this one! I highly reccommend starting with the first book in the series though to really get a good feel for the town and characters.

I enjoyed this fifth book in the Seaside Cafe mystery series. I loved the ghost walk elements.. The aunts are still some of my favorite characters. Their quirkiness adds to the Practical Magic vibes of the this cozy mystery series. I do think I would have enjoyed this one more if I had read it closer to Halloween than in January.

I loved this book! I loved the history and the bit of spookiness that it contained. It is just a fun read! Everly Swan is a great character and the aunts were amazing!

My only problem is that it took me awhile to get into the story. I really think that I need to go back and read the first 4 installments.

Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the opportunity to read and review this book.

This was an intriguing and entertaining book. Well written and excellent characterization. This is the first book I've read by this author and look forward to reading more. I was given an ebook ARC by Netgalley and this is my voluntary and honest review.

This is another enjoyable addition to the Seaside Cafe Mystery series set in Charm on the Outer Banks of North Carolina with likable, interesting characters, a great island setting with a rich history of pirates and treasures, and a murder mystery to solve. It is Halloween week and the story begins with a Ghost Walk along the island led by Clara Swan with different stops along the way. Everly Swan owns a tea shop in her Victorian home and is supplying food for the event. All is going well until one of the character ghosts is found injured and then dies at one of the stops on the walk. Everly S is written in the dirt by her. Everly didn't even know the victim, Dixie Wetherill, but she is still a suspect. Detective Grady Hays, a very close friend of Everly's, has to investigate and Everly cannot resist helping him against his wishes. Dixie is not well liked so a lot of people could have wanted her dead, including someone she outbid for a collectable book, and others. Someone is leaving clues around threatening Everly and all seem to be from a man dead almost two hundred years. In addition to layers of clues, all is not well between Grady and Everly but someone is waiting to date Everly. Everly's aunts Clara and Fran are busy with their bee products shop and Fran is running for mayor with some stiff opponents. Everly's best friend and book shop owner, Amelia, has a new children book and release party. There's never a dull moment in Charm and this is a story that kept me interested to the end. Looking forward to the next one.
I received a complimentary ARC from Poisoned Pen Press through NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine only.

One of my favorite authors and book. If you haven't read it yet I highly recommend it. Bree baker writes several different series

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review. It is set to be published in December 2020.

"Closely Harbored Secrets" by Bree Baker is a cozy mystery investigating into the murder of an elderly island historian where every clue seems to point at Everly Swan, the protagonist of the Seaside Café Mystery series, as the culprit.
I really appreciated the originality of the premise (ghosts, buried pirate treasures, hauntings, a cursed protagonist...) and the fact that, although this novel is the fifth instalment in a series, it reads well enough as a standalone.
What I didn't appreciate was the pacing: it's way too slow--the style is wordy and repetitive, there's way too much talking, way too little action. The interesting parts are there, but they're too far-between, interspersed with all the things I as a reader could have done without, like all the drama about the mayoral election - which has no ties to the main plot, by the way - and all the painstakingly detailed descriptions of food. Those parts got tiresome to read after a while, they felt pointless.
Another thing that could have been better is the characterization: the characters are flat, one-dimensional, and none of them shows any growth throughout the story: they end up exactly the same from start to finish, no change at all, except maybe for the murder victim, who gets some character development in the final chapters, but she's - you know - a murder victim, so that doesn't count as real growth, since she's dead.
Anyway, kudos to the author for some awesome body positivity remarks sprinkled here and there throughout the story. We need more books to promote this message.
Overall, this book was not for me, but other readers might love it.

4.5 stars

This is the fifth book in the Seaside Cafe mystery series by Bree Baker.

I always love Bree Baker’s books and this was no exception. Wow, what a delightful read. This one is perfect for the history lover since many plot points harken back to old town history. A dead body of one of the actors is found during a halloween walking tour and Everly Swan is off to the races finding the culprit.

The characters here are so fun and easy to relate to. You can easily get lost in the story. I was particularly curious why the dead person wrote Everly’s name before dying.

You just can’t go wrong with this series. It can easily be read as a standalone but I suggest you checkout the entire series. It is that good.

If you like cozy mysteries, definitely check this one out. You won’t be disappointed.

I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in return for an honest review. I thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title.

I keep forgetting that this series has a paranormal element. I know the family is descended from women that escaped Salem before the witch trials. Plus the curse on the family. And let's not forget the house that Everly has her home and business in has a ghost connected to it. But usually no ghosts show up to have a chat with Everly. This time a legendary phantom sailor leaves threatening messages after Everly becomes a suspect in a murder that ties back to the phantom sailor legend. There is a hidden treasure as well as the results of the election in the book. I enjoyed reading the book and hated to see it end.

I was kindly provided an e-copy of this book by the publisher or author via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is the fifth book in the seaside café series. It is time for the annual harvest festival and the upcoming mayoral election. Everly is doing what she can to help Aunt Fran win the election. A murder occurs at the walking tour event in Charm. Naturally Everly is the one who finds the body with her name etched in the dirt next to the body. Now she thinks she is being stalked by a ghost sailor. Detective Grady Hayes is not happy when Everly inserts herself in the investigation, but she is determined to find out who is threatening her.

I absolutely loved this book. Bree Baker has created a wonderful town that I wish I could visit. The characters are warm and inviting. I love the quirkiness of Everly's aunts. I love Everly and Grady together. That ending was perfect. And little Denver is always lovable. A five star read. I can't wait to read more. I received this book from netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Closely Harbored Secrets the 5th instalment in the A Seaside Cafe Mystery Series by Bree Baker. I loved visiting Charm, NC over my Christmas holidays! I wasn’t disappointed either another great instalment to the series.

This time it’s all about secrets and maps as Everly tries to solve the murder before someone takes her out. One of my favourite things about the books is the sense of family, friendship and how the community comes together and rallies behind the aunts. I love Everly’s aunts and Amelia, I was a little worried we were in for a love triangle but the ending was a nice surprise.

I love Lou and Maggie her adopted pets which play a big role this time and we learn more about the people they are named after.

I didnt suspect who the killer was until Everly did, as there were just enough red herrings and twists and turns to keep me enthralled and guessing.

I cannot recommend this series enough!

I requested and received an Advanced Readers Copy from Poison Pen Press and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Charm is a charming little island town filled with engaging and interesting characters. Our delightful protagonist does get into situations that are dangerous to her life. Fun entertainments involving children. A little romance adds to the cozy mystery. I look forward to reading the next one in this pleasant cozy series.

Another great addition to the Seaside Cafe Mystery. A fast-paced but well-plotted read.

We get to join Everly and her aunts at Halloween/Election time in Charm, NC and things are not as cute as they seem. While the little ghosts and goblins are running around looking for treats there are scary things happening to Everly making her wonder who should she trust. Someone thinks Everly has a treasure map that will lead them to a great fortune from many years ago. Can Everly survive to see if her aunt wins the local mayoral election?

I enjoy the pace of this series. I always find myself diving headfirst into the book like Lou diving into his plate of fresh shrimp. I never want to come up for air until the last page. I only wish Grady wasn't so wishy-washy and either let Everly go or treat her with the love she deserves.

A few yummy recipes are included.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher, Poisoned Pen Press, through NetGalley. Any opinions expressed in the above review are entirely my own.

Located in the barrier islands of North Carolina the small town of Charm has become less than charming. There has been a murder and a tea cafe owner, Everly Swan, is in danger because the killer thinks she has a valuable map. There are also rumors of ghosts sightings near her cafe and she frequently feels like she is being watched. Add to that is the fact that her aunt is a victim of mudslinging in her race for mayor and her romantic life is shaky.

I really enjoy this series. It has a great setting, likeable and relatable characters, a bit of humor and an interesting mystery. Thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for an ARC. The opinions expressed are my own.

Dollycas’s Thoughts

Halloween means a big celebration in Charm, North Carolina that includes a haunted walking tour. Clara and Fran Swan have key roles in the event and Everly is providing tea and treats for those attending. The night of the walk Everly joins her aunt’s group to hear ghost stories she has heard repeated several times but her aunt always adds something new. This year the something new is a dead body. Dixie Wetherill was to be playing the part of a local legend but when she misses her cue, a quick search finds Dixie dead with Everly’s name spelled out in the ground beside her.

Detective Grady Hays has to follow the evidence even if that means investigating his girlfriend. But then Everly receives several threatening messages. The messages appear to be from the legendary ghost pirate, The Sandman. Threats that are meant to scare Everly only make her mad and set her off on her own investigation to catch the real killer. Although finding that person just may get her killed . . .

What a wonderfully written spooky mystery!

Charm, North Carolina has a rich history and the stories that have come from that history can be downright chilling, especially on a Halloween Haunted Walking Tour. Ms. Baker paints some eerie pictures with her words. I felt like I was right there to enjoy the event and as the body was found. It was so easy to visualize. Her descriptions throughout the story kept me right there at every scene.

The author also breathes great life into each of her characters and she keeps them busy too. In addition to the Halloween festivities, the mayor’s race is right around the corner and Everly is pulling out all the stops to help her Aunt Fran win. Grady is dealing with some family issues that could create havoc in his already complicated relationship with Everly. Everly is busy concocting new tea drinks and running her shop along with a little home renovation. And then, there is that murder and the threats against Everly that has everyone worried. Bree Baker’s development of all her characters is top-notch.

The mystery is very well-plotted and sets a nice pace that really ratchets up as we get to the big reveal. It was so exciting. Again, the descriptive writing style had me feel like I was watching a movie. I could see all the action so clearly. I truly was on the edge of my seat and may have even been holding my breath.

This Halloween story was a terrific treat! Closely Harbored Secrets blends a fascinating mystery with fabulous characters. There is a light paranormal element or two and that just adds to the fun. Charm, Blessed Bee, and the Sun, Sand, and Tea are places I can’t wait to visit again.