Kay Dew Shostak

Welcome to Sophia Island where new resident Jewel Mantelle has been invited to join some of the local ladies for lunch at a restaurant located at the town marina. What could possibly go wrong?

The discovery of a dead body quickly cements their newly formed friendship as they are all determined to find out what happened to the deceased man. They unite in their desire to seek out information…especially when they learn that Jewel’s husband has become a suspect.

Ms. Shostak does an excellent job of keeping the story from getting too heavy or depressing as she easily mixes in bits of humor that make the reader smile. Her characters are well rounded and quickly become very real. The setting is well described and is a town you would like to visit.

I look forward to reading more about life on Sophia Island.… (altro)

It is far too seldom that I foray into genres that don’t belong to my main fare, and I’m glad I did for this book. The synopsis intrigued me, as I grew up in a small town — more or less unaware of the gossip — then lived in a big city for more than 30 years, and now I’ve returned to my home town. I wondered: is there a huge difference between people in rural North America and people in rural Germany?

Well, yes and no. But maybe that’s because my town seems comparatively large in comparison with Chancey. Or maybe I just don’t go out enough, or I don’t go the correct places. I know from a friend that there is a lot of gossip going on here, but the only gossip I ever hear is from my friend, and that isn’t a lot.

So far, I haven’t been cajoled into anything. I do believe that’s because nobody is interested in me, although my mum does her best to tell all and sundry that I’m back in town.

But to the novel: I absolutely LOVED it. The characters are so life-like, it felt as if I was there, listening in to the conversations. There’s even a ghost, but he is not of the scary kind, and somehow quite believable.

There are certainly characters that weren’t my favourites, but I can’t say that I completely disliked even one of them — well,maybe for one exception.

As I’ve come to expect from audio books promoted by The Audiobookworm, the sound quality was impeccable. Narrator Suzanne Barbetta did an absolutely marvellous job at bringing all the characters to life! She gives them depth and variety; I never had any difficulties to know who was talking, and her male and female voices are great. If I had a written list of favourite narrators, this list would now be longer by one. I’ve seen that there are four more books in this series, alas, no further sequel is available in audio. I hope there will be, because my reading time is so sparse, but I’d love to know more about this particular family and community! So, Kay, if you read this, please consider making the sequels available in audio (and do hire Suzanne)!

For all who love to read/listen to a good tale that contains everything you can ask of a good yarn, I recommend you listen to Next Stop, Chancey. I’m sure you won’t regret it.

I received this audiobook as part of my participation in a blog tour with Audiobookworm Promotions. The tour is being sponsored by Suzanne Barbetta. The gifting of this audiobook did not affect my opinion of it.… (altro)

“The Manatee Did It is a clean and cozy beach mystery....” This statement says all you really need to know. You feel like you are apart of the gang as they meet for lunch and discuss the latest clues. If you’ve ever been to “Sophia Island”, or even if you haven’t, you’ll be able to walk with Jewell as she gets to know the area and her new friends. This would fit right at home on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries.

I came across this book at The Book Loft in Fernandina Beach, FL while visiting the area. The Southern Beach Mysteries Series was there and I opted to get the first one “to see how I would like it”. Half way through I ordered the other two. I can’t wait for the turtle and the shrimp to arrive in a couple of days. And the fourth when it comes out.

Just go ahead and get them all....… (altro)