5-STAR REVIEW: MURDER MOST EASTERN by Nellie H. Steele

The Description

Great Maine Mysteries: Book 1
Publication Date: August 28, 2025

A seaside Victorian. A skeptical artist. A cat with secrets. And a murder that won’t stay buried…

When struggling artist Emily Harper inherits a charming but creaky Victorian on the rugged coast of Maine, she expects a fresh start—what she doesn’t expect is cryptic notes, eerie visions, and a cat with an uncanny sense for trouble.

But nothing unsettles her more than the bracelet. A striking piece of tourmaline jewelry left behind in the house, it sends shivers up her spine whenever she wears it. At first, she chalks it up to stress—until she visits West Quoddy Head Lighthouse and is struck by a chilling vision of a man begging for his life. The next day, his body is found.

With a storm brewing, long-buried secrets rising to the surface, and a killer who will do anything to keep the past hidden, Emily must embrace the unexplainable—or risk becoming the next victim.

Fans of Ellery Adams and Carolyn Hart will love this twisty, atmospheric paranormal cozy mystery full of seaside charm, ghostly intrigue, and a heroine who refuses to back down—no matter how haunted her past may be.

Read now and sleuth the clues today.

The Review

Emily Harper has inherited a charming Victorian on the coast of Maine, hoping to paint and get a fresh start on her life. What she didn’t expect was to be drawn into a murder mystery tied to a piece of jewelry found in her home in Murder Most Eastern, the first book in the Great Maine Mysteries by Author Nellie H. Steele.

Emily is the type of woman most of us can identify with and relate to. One of the things Emily is dealing with is grief, which most of us have had to deal with, and Ms. Steele deals with it sensitively and emotionally.

I enjoyed the paranormal aspects of the plot and how the author effectively built suspense into the story. It was able to pull me and forget my surroundings. I love those kinds of books.

Ms. Steele painted an alluring portrayal of Maine, helping me recall those times spent visiting with family. I heard the waves, the seagulls, and smelled the salt in the air.

I am also excited that there will be another book in this series, as the mystery continues and we, the audience, get to return to Maine. I look forward to that happening.

Picturesque settings, paranormal elements, and a cozy mystery take center stage in Murder Most Eastern. Buy Links

About The Author

Nellie H. Steele is a storyteller who doesn’t just write books—she writes the stories her characters tell her. With distinct voices and minds of their own, her characters often take over, guiding her through tales of romance, mystery, adventure, and suspense.

A lifelong bookworm, Nellie vividly recalls sitting on the concrete floor of her childhood library, eagerly devouring Nancy Drew books and dreaming of solving mysteries of her own. Now an award-winning author, she spends her days crafting immersive worlds and unforgettable characters that feel like old friends. Her house is a zoo—literally—thanks to her rescue animals who seem perfectly happy napping while she writes.

Nellie’s writing process often involves background TV she never actually watches because she’s too wrapped up in her characters’ antics. When she’s not spinning stories, she works as a professor of statistics, where students who know her as an author are often surprised to find she really does teach math.

If you love twisty mysteries, soap-opera-style romance, and thrilling adventures, dive into Nellie’s books today and discover worlds you won’t want to leave. Connect with Nellie on Facebook at @NellieHSteele—she loves chatting with readers about characters, stories, and more!