Saloon owner Chloe Jackson is after a murderer with skeletons in the closet--and one on a boat.
BAD TO THE BONE
Chloe loves her new life pouring beers and mixing cocktails at the Sea Glass Saloon in the Florida Panhandle town of Emerald Cove. But on the job, the only exercise she gets is walking from one end of the bar to the other, so in the mornings she loves to run on the beach. On this morning's foggy run, she spots a sailboat washed up on a sandbar. Hearing a cry, she climbs aboard the beached vessel to investigate and finds not only a mewling kitten--but a human skeleton in the cabin.
The skeleton is tied back to Chloe's friend Ralph, whose wife disappeared on a sailboat with three other people twelve years ago. Believing his wife was lost at sea, Ralph remarried. Now he finds himself a murder suspect. Chloe is determined to find out who's been up to some skulduggery, but her sleuthing will lead her into some rough waters and some bone-chilling revelations...
ASIN : B08MBFK131
Publisher : Kensington Books
Publication date : July 27, 2021
Print length : 235 pagesPurchase from Amazon
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My Review:
The second book in the Chloe Jackson Sea Glass Saloon Mystery series by Sherry Harris is here!! As a lover of all things Sarah Winston Garage Sale Mysteries, there was no way I was missing out on this new series by Sherry Harris. I was not disappointed at all. Chloe Jackson is everything I need in a cozy mystery heroine. She is likable (always important), realistic, imperfect - but the perfect person for this series, a little clueless, fiercely protective, and someone I would love to be my best friend. The story is not, however, all grins and giggles as Chloe is swept out to sea in a washed-up sailboat, she soon learns is tied back to long ago mysterious disappearance. Her dramatic rescue is only the beginning as events unfold, history is dredged up, wounds reopen, and murder accusations fly.
Chloe is starting to settle in at her new home, new place of employment, and with her new friends. She and Vivi have reached an understanding and while they aren't besties, they are getting along. Chloe has just returned to Florida after packing up her life in Chicago. Chloe's discovery on the beach leads to some harsh realities for some of the townsfolk and a reopening of almost healed wounds. For some, closure. For others, the reappearance of old accusations. For a few, both.
This story is a fast-paced and engaging novel. The author is such a wonderful writer and I love her ability to instill true emotional reactions in her readers, and not just shock, awe, and humor. This book has a theme threaded through it a lot of people have, are, or will work through at some point in their lives. Realism - that's where it's at for me in any book.
A Time to Swill is a great sophomore book in this new series. I love the continued character development and introduction of an assortment of secondary characters. Chloe considers several of the characters to be suspects, giving the reader several viable murderers. Her process of elimination leads to a twist I didn't see coming. The story is original, and I was able to visualize the entire story as each scene played out. A fantastic story, a potential love interest, and a capable and competent main character make this 5 stars for me. The author has another hit series on her hands!
I was provided a copy of this to read.
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