A Delicious Seaside Cozy Mystery: Book 1
Publication Date: August 15, 2024
In the charming seaside town of Saltcliff on the Sea, Dahlia Vale’s life is about to take a dramatic twist. Leaving behind her monotonous job as a defense contractor, Dahlia inherits her late sister Daisy’s cozy inn and a new role as guardian to her spirited niece, Diantha. But Saltcliff holds more than just new beginnings; it hides whispers of past loves, local feuds, and a string of suspicious deaths that soon draw Dahlia into their depths.
Navigating her new life with the loyal Taco, her service dog, at her side, Dahlia stumbles upon secrets that Daisy left behind. The quaint Saltcliff Bed & Breakfast becomes center stage for these mysteries as Dahlia uncovers links between a controversial local chef’s death and her sister’s secretive gardening habits. As Dahlia delves deeper, aided by the astute Detective Owen Sanderson, she finds herself untangling a web of betrayal, blackmail, and hidden motives—all under the guise of serving the perfect morning scones to her guests.
With each chapter, Dahlia transitions from an outsider to a beloved figure in the community, piecing together clues with a charm only a true amateur sleuth could possess. Amidst the culinary delights and scenic walks on the beach, “Keeled Over at the Cliffside” crafts a tapestry of intrigue and murder, testing Dahlia’s wit and pulling her further into the heart of Saltcliff’s darkest secrets. Will Dahlia serve justice as adeptly as she serves her guests?
Step into the pages of this culinary cozy mystery, where every character has a story, and the truth is as layered as a well-baked pastry. Perfect for fans of a good puzzle and a great plate of food (or those who just love a loyal Labrador), this book promises to be a delicious read from start to finish.
Join Dahlia, Diantha, and Taco as they discover that even the most picturesque towns can hide the most sinister secrets.
Keeled Over at the Cliffside by Nancy Stewart is book one in the Saltcliff Mysteries series. This small-town cozy mystery has an amateur sleuth who loves to solve puzzles and is filled with unexpected deaths, crimes, a potential ghost on several fronts, and even a hint of romance.
The story drew me in but left me with unanswered questions and some loose ends. There are plenty of clues to sift through and red herrings to discard. Dahlia becomes her niece’s guardian and the caretaker of a lovely inn upon her twin sister’s death, with whom she was estranged for many years, but Dahlia definitely steps up to the plate. Dahlia and Owen, the detective on the case, work well together, and she comes up with several theories to assist in solving the cases.
Dahlia’s life back in Virginia was boring and lonely compared to the new life she’s embracing on the West Coast. There are vivid descriptions of the scenery, homes, small businesses, gardens, and food. Dahlia’s support dog, Taco Dog, is a cute and sympathetic animal that enriches the story. There is closure in solving the crimes after a few unexpected twists and turns. The whodunnit was unexpected but felt right.
I look forward to returning to Saltcliff and reading more of the books in the series. There were several dessert recipes at the back of the book, and I would like to try some of them.
Keeled Over at the Cliffside is a cozy mystery with lots of baking, desserts and good food that ease the search of whodunnit. The crimes are solved with an amateur sleuth giving her all to sift through the clues and sort out the puzzle.
Nancy Stewart is the cozy pen name of USA Today bestselling rom-com author Delancey Stewart. This is her first cozy mystery, despite being raised on a steady diet of Nancy Drew and Agatha Christie, and supplementing that in adulthood with mysteries and thrillers whenever possible. She writes from her home near Denver, Colorado, where she lives with her former Marine hubby and two teenage boys. And of course, her dog, Charlie Taco (who appears in her mystery series as Taco the service dog.)
August 12 – Sarah Can’t Stop Reading Books – REVIEW
August 13 – Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT
August 14 – Mystery, Thrillers, and Suspense – SPOTLIGHT
August 15 – Reading Is My SuperPower – REVIEW
August 16 – Sneaky the Library Cat’s Blog – CHARACTER INTERVIEW
August 17 – Celticlady’s Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
August 18 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
August 19 – Books, Ramblings, and Tea – RECIPE
August 20 – Baroness Book Trove – SPOTLIGHT
August 20 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – AUTHOR GUEST POST
August 21 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW
August 22 – Novels Alive – REVIEW
August 23 – Ascroft, eh? – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
August 23 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT
August 24 – Elizabeth McKenna – Author – SPOTLIGHT
August 25 – Cozy Up With Kathy – CHARACTER GUEST POST
