oyster-culture, clams, Maine, law-enforcement, amateur-sleuth, murder-investigation, theft, greed, family-dynamics, friendship, tourist-town*****

Julia Snowden was born and raised in the small tourist town but went away to college and then to Manhattan for a career in high finance until it got the better of her. Now she is back and is a major force in the family clambake business and is back with her old flame (Chris) who runs a landscaping business based on the desires of the summer folk. Chris introduces her to Andie who runs an oyster farm nearby and who has had $35,000 worth of "seeds" stolen in a hit and grab (the first mystery). While working on that, Julia finds Andie's body in the wet and wit an oyster knife in her neck. Being a small town, it's the state police who bring in detectives and forensics, but sifting through the evidence isn't as useful as it might be. Lots of twists and red herrings complete with a pair of familiar state cops, odd behaviors by main characters, and other peculiarities. I loved it!
I requested and received a free ebook copy from Kensington Books via NetGalley. Thank you!

This is a delightful book. It has it all, great characters, a great mystery and a lovely time. I enjoyed it. #ShuckedApart #NetGalley

Shucked Apart by Barbara Ross is an excellent cozy mystery and it is the 9th installment in the amazing series: A Maine Clambake Mystery.

I have loved this series since the first book. While one can read this as a stand-alone and pick up this series at any point, to truly love this series, one should really savor all the books that come beforehand. It is a tried and true series that just keeps getting better as it ages.

Here we see Julia Snowden at it again as she is asked to help find out who is at the bottom of a theft involving Andie, a fellow female business owner. After Andie ends up being discovered dead, Julia doesn’t hesitate to help find the culprit.

I really enjoyed the murder/mystery plot as always. Ms. Ross has a way of creating an excellent dialogue, imagery, and a homey feeling of each book always giving me the feeling of visiting old friends. This book is no exception. I loved visiting the Snowden Family Clambake again. I really enjoyed my stay and am looking forward to the next book in one of my most treasured cozy mystery series.

5/5 stars

Thank you NetGalley and Kensington for this ARC and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 2/23/21.

Chris asks Julia to help a friend who was robbed figure out who has it out for her. Being a woman in a male dominated career, Andie believes someone was trying to stop her business, but doesn’t believe it is someone she knows.

As Julia investigates, she finds me of the people closest to her and Chris popping up in her investigation. When Andie is murdered, Julia seeks justice for her new friend and digs even deeper and hopes she won’t meet the same fate in the process.

This is one of my go to series and I am never disappointed. Barbara Ross knows how to weave a solid whodunit with a strong protagonist and enough red herrings to keep you on the edge of your seat as you try to solve things along with Julia.