Murder by the Seashore
Series: California Bookshop Mysteries #1
Author: Samara Yew
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Pages: 256
Setting: Southern California
Release Date: October 17, 2023, by Crooked Lane Books
Format(s): ebook, Audiobook, Hardcover
Summary:
Perfect for fans of Jenn McKinlay and Ellery Adams, 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.
Southern California is where dreams come true—or so Scarlett Gardner thought. When she moved there and opened the Palm Trees and Page Turners bookshop, she thought her boyfriend and business partner would be part of the story. When he leaves her for a better job, Scarlett finds herself struggling to keep her new business afloat. That’s not the only thing she has to worry about—she discovers something underneath the pier by her bookshop that she didn’t outline for her life’s story: the dead body of a book-buying customer.
After Scarlett gives a statement to the police, she thinks her life can go back to business as usual. But when a lawyer, representing someone named Lorelai Knight, tells Scarlett that she now stands to inherit a small fortune, she’s left with more questions than answers. Before she can make sense of any of it, the police bring her in for questioning; the body she found was Lorelai Knight. And the evidence they have against Scarlett doesn’t look good. Business is booming as Scarlett returns to Palm Trees and Page Turners, but for all the wrong reasons – curious tourists don’t want books, they want a glimpse of the Bookshop Killer.
Who could really be behind all of this? And why frame Scarlett? To clear her name, she’s going to have get creative—and hope she can remain one page ahead of the killer.
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Character Interview with Scarlett Gardner
How did you and your author meet?
We met on November 1st, 2020, on the first day of NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month.) My author thought it would be fun to attempt to write an entire novel in one month, and that’s how my story came to be. Spoiler alert: It was definitely more stressful than fun, but here we are, a published book and ready to share our adventures with the world.
Why did Samara decide to feature you in a whole series of books?
As much as I would love to say it was for my humor and charm, I think it’s actually because she saw a lot of potential character growth in me and decided to use it to her advantage. Apparently, static characters don’t make for very good amateur sleuths.
Do you have any friends or family helping you out?
My roommate/BFF, Lucia, helps me out with clearing my name as a murder suspect. She’s a lawyer, so her knowledge about criminal activity comes in handy. My sister, Olivia, helps via video chats since she lives in Australia, but she surprisingly has some good tips. I say surprisingly because she is an architect. Not exactly a profession that is known for solving murder mysteries.
Do you have a regular job and investigate on the side or are you a full-time detective?
I’m definitely NOT a full-time detective. I own the most adorable bookshop. It’s called Palm Trees and Page Turners, and it’s right on the beach in Southern California. Readers can visit, buy a book, and then head straight for the beach for the most perfect day of lounging on the sand and reading a good book.
What is the funniest thing that happens to you or another character in this story?
Okay, so others might think that me thinking a piece of trash was an important clue until it turned out to be a McDonald’s cheeseburger wrapper is funny, but I don’t think so. I was so embarrassed! I did think Viviana Diaz naming her little floof of a dog His Royal Highness Prince Henry was pretty funny, though.
Have you solved other cases or is this your first one?
Besides figuring out whodunit before Nancy Drew did in my mom’s old books, this is my first real-life mystery.
Do you have a gift or a special talent?
You mean like snooping around and asking personal, nosy questions to get the answers I need? Then yes, I do have a special talent.
Who is the most important individual in your life?
Probably my sister, Olivia, but my roommate, Lucia, is a close second.
What is your ideal vacation?
I kind of turned my ideal vacation into my job, so I need to think of a new one. Hmm, let’s see. Skiing in the Alps? Hiking through the Amazon? Scaling Mount Everest? Nah, I’m just kidding. It will always be reading a good book on the beach.
If you could change anything about your life what would it be?
I would have gone to business school instead of taking the learning-as-I-go approach. It’s a bit overwhelming. I would have also stayed away from my now-ex the first day I met him. Connor turned out to be such a sleazy guy.
About Samara Yew
Samara Yew is a cozy mystery author who writes about adorable bookshops and dead bodies. Her new series is being released with Crooked Lane Books in 2023. A full-time mom, full-time dog servant, and part-time writer, Samara lives in British Columbia, Canada, where she can often be found watching Psych reruns. Samara loves to travel, especially visiting her husband’s home country of Singapore or donning Mickey ears in Disneyland. She’s a member of Sisters in Crime and International Thriller Writers.
Giveaway
Prize: One signed hardcover copy of Murder by the Seashore and bookmarks.
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