Liz has to get involved when Declan's body washes up on the beach near her home at the Indiatlantic Hotel. This second installment in a new cozy series features a strong protagonist in Liz, who has had tough times in life but is settled now at her family's hotel in Melbourne Beach, Florida and writing a new novel. She's got a neat relationship with Ryan, who hopefully will stay around permanently, as he is only in town to help his grandfather recover from a knee replacement. Ryan's law enforcement background combined with Liz's curiosity made this mystery a good one. There are all sorts of cozy elements (including recipes) but it was the story than won me over. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.

At first I had a really hard time getting into this book, but I pushed through and enjoyed it! Would definitely read others in the series- fun characters, and a fun murder mystery beach read!

A Killing by the Sea is the second book in Kathleen Bridge’s By the Sea Mystery series. The quirky characters are well developed and the well-plotted mystery moves at a steady pace, with lots of twists and turns, action, and humor.

Liz Holt returned to Melbourne Beach, Florida six months ago after living in Manhattan for the past ten years. She’s staying at her childhood home, Indialantic by the Sea Hotel and Emporium, which is owned by her great-aunt, Amelia Eden Holt, a former television character actress. Liz and her father, Fenton, who’s an attorney, originally moved there after her mother passed away when she was five years old. Liz is working on her second book, is dating Ryan Stone, and their relationship is progressing nicely. Ryan took a leave of absence from his job as an arson investigator and fireman for New York City’s fire department to help his grandfather, Pops, at the Deci-casies by the Sea while Pops’ new knee heals and he’s also working as Fenton’s on-call private investigator. As Liz is helping to prepare for the Indialantic’s First Annual Pirates’ Weekend by the Sea, news of an approaching hurricane threatens the event. Everyone was saddened when a Dylan Presley, a young man who worked on a fishing trawler, fell overboard and was lost at sea. When Liz discovers Dylan body lying on the beach near the Indialantic, Agent Charlotte Pearson is brought into the investigation, which raises a red flag for Liz because Charlotte is Brevard County PD’s lead homicide detective. Liz decides to look in to Dylan’s murder.

I received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley and voluntarily reviewed it.

Although this is a cute cozy series, there are too many characters and it's difficult to keep them straight. Bridge is an excellent writer, however; the book is well organized, and even though it's a light cozy, there are surprises, along with twists and turns as well as building suspense.

Indialantic By The Sea in Melbourne, Florida, is home for Liz Holt. Has been for generations and now she is back home after a bad relationship and an injury she would rather not talk about. Back with Aunt Amelia and the quirky characters who own the shops in the Emporium, she is feeling safe and loved and just maybe she can write again.

But before she can settle in to write, a body washes up on their beach. The body of a local fisherman. But it doesn't look to Liz like an accident. So with their big Pirate's Weekend coming up and her guy, Ryan, she's poking her curious nose in dangerously close to a killer while a hurricane is getting closer by the moment.

There is a lot of action going on in this second book of the series. The characters are what make the book. They are all so well done and real. I can't wait to see what happens next!

Netgalley/September 25th 2018 by Lyrical Underground

This is the second installment in the A By the Sea Mystery by Kathleen Bridge. I have not read the first one. I feel like there was too much information/detail on the scenery. I hate when things get wordy. I also found it kind of on the cheesy side as far as cozy mysteries go

Trading the urban sprawl of Manhattan for the tranquility and exotic beauty of a Florida barrier island was the best decision author Liz Holt ever made. What could be more ideal for relaxing, regrouping, and getting a writer’s creative juices flowing than observing life at the unconventional hotel that has been in Liz’s family for generations? But it’s death that grips the island when a body sweeps in on the tide . . .

The victim was a member of a fishing crew lost at sea who may or may not have drowned. Despite the corpse in their crosshairs, the staff of the Indialantic by the Sea Hotel and Emporium continues its plans for its first annual Pirates’ Weekend. But things go further awry when both a hurricane and a killer leave a trail of destruction. Liz and her new boyfriend must figure out who’s behind the carnage before they also end up in Davy Jones’ locker . . .

Liz Holt is spunky, stylish, and ready for fun on the Florida Treasure Coast with her friends and family. She's also recovering from a seriously bad break up... and her recovery might be delayed by the tell-all book her ex is publishing.

Meanwhile, she's facing a hurricane, possible pirate treasure, and a particularly mystifying murder. It's a lot to keep track of. Add some goofy elderly relatives, a volatile new relationship, and an ancient family hotel that needs her help to stay in the black, and Liz may have too much on her plate.

The story is fun, fast moving, and full of local color. People of all ages, dogs and cats, and a bunch of intriguing romances make this series a cozy winner.

A Killing by the Sea is the second book in Kathleen Bridge’s By the Sea Mysteries. Liz Holt, an award winning author with a difficult recent past, returned to her family home at the Indialantic by the Sea hotel in Melbourne Beach, Florida, about six months ago. This resort, which has seen better days, was founded by Liz’s great grandfather. Now owned and operated by her great aunt Amelia and more of an unpaid rooming house than resort, they depend more on the By the Sea Emporium rents and events for income.

As hurricane Roberta mixes things up in the Caribbean, there is a pall over the area when local artist Minna Presley’s nephew Dylan is missing after a storm at sea. When Liz discovers his body washed ashore and a crusty gold doubloon beneath it, the mystery begins to unfold. As Liz and retired FDNY arson investigator Ryan Stone work together, and at odds, to try to discover what befell Dylan, a cast of viable culprits are investigated. When yet another body is discovered as the hurricane approaches, and clues begin lining up, mourners are shown as villains and suspected villains turn out to be the law.

Another fast paced mystery in this delightful series to add to your reading list! With engaging characters and a lovely setting, Ms. Mullet again spins a twisting tale for the reader to follow the crumbs to a surprising climax. I did enjoy this book and do recommend it!

Hurricane may be coming and disrupt the Pirate Days weekend festivities at the Indiatlantic Hotel, but for Liz Holt the body washing up on shore is a much worse disruption. She's there to help out her Aunt Amelia with the running of the hotel, recover from a humiliating scandal and write a book. But the body turns out to be murdered and Liz has her hands full getting to the bottom of the mystery. The book is populated with memorable, colorful characters and is very enjoyable.

This was my introduction to A By The Sea Mystery series, and I enjoyed all of the quirky characters in it. Liz has an interesting back story that was alluded to in this book, but I'll have to go back to the first to see if her scar is further explained. I did think the 'jealousy' of her love interest Ryan was a little too intense to be appealing, but other than that the mystery and the surrounding cast were excellent. All in all I would recommend it highly.

A Killing by the Sea is enjoyable second book in A By the Sea Mystery series but can be read as a standalone.
Writer Liz Holt has left an avusive boyfriend and Menhattan bustle gor the tranquil Melbourne Beach, Florida planning to recuperate and write. However when body of a local fisherman and friend's cousin washes ashore Liz realises that his death is not an accident. Tome is running out as both annual celebration and hurricane are fast approaching.
Breathtaking setting plays a huge role in this charming mystery. Also I appreciated issue of abused women being raised.
Steady peaced and realisticaly portrayed.
Well presented whodunnit.

What a privilege it was to be able to read Kathleen Bridge's A Killing By The Sea as an Advanced Reading Copy. The main character Liz is easy to like and mysterious herself, coming out of a horrific relationship, face scared and flawed, yet she is working on herself. Settling in after returning to the place she once again calls home, working on herself, writing, learning and loving. She is a strong and remarkable character. We learn more about her, her past and her future in A Killing By The Sea, as well as the mysteries that surround the island.
A Killing By The Sea, book two in the By The Sea Mystery Series was such a wonderful read. So many wonderful and diverse characters, animals and such a picturesque setting. A place you can go to relax and maybe even spot and play with Manatees...A perfectly cozy story, mystery and swashbuckling fun await you in this upcoming release.

Murder hits close to the Indialantic Hotel in beautiful Melbourne Beach once again, and Liz Holt is on a mission to discover the killer. With a hurricane on its way, Pirates' Weekend on the calendar, and talk of lost treasure, Kathleen Bridge's A Killing by the Sea kept me on the edge of my seat as I got to play armchair detective along with Liz, Great Aunt Amelia, bff Kate, boyfriend Ryan, and the rest of the residents. A nice sequel to Death by the Sea, the mystery is cleverly crafted and quite cozy. A+

Liz Holt is happy with her decision to leave Manhattan and live at her family’s hotel in Melbourne Beach, Florida. She is using her time writing a novel, and preparing for their first annual Pirates’ Weekend. But, all that is shattered when the body of a known fisherman is washed up on shore. Liz believes that his death is not an accident. As a hurricane approaches the barrier island, can Liz find the truth before it’s too late?
I liked this cozy mystery. The protagonist seemed very likeable and real. She had the quintessential stubbornness needed for an amateur sleuth to succeed when others tell her to stop. The plot had many twists and turns. But, there were too many characters and I felt confused in the beginning. Maybe if I read the first in this series, I would have been more prepared. I also believe certain parts of the novel needed a little more editing. In spite of these drawbacks, I would like to read more about Liz and her life in Melbourne Beach. I received an Advanced Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley and am voluntarily reviewing it.

I loved this story! The cast of characters is quirky making them interesting and entertaining. Liz, the protagonist, is a strong, sensible woman who’s slowly recovering from an abusive ex and an injury that’s left her relationship-shy. Living with her beloved Aunt Amelia and friends at the Indialantic by the Sea Hotel, Liz is surrounded by love now and working on her second novel. There are several pets, both feline and canine, plus a talkative parrot! The Florida beach setting is awesome until a murder marrs the pristine grains of sand.

Liz has often heard tales of much sought after sunken Spanish galleons in the ocean nearby. When a sweet friend’s nephew’s lifeless body washes ashore and it’s deemed homicide, Liz quickly realizes he had to have seen or heard something that put him on a hit list. The author dangles cunning clues throughout this storyline trying to snag reader’s attention and, perhaps, draw them away from certain suspects. For me, one suspect stood out from others, however, the author tossed in some unexpected twists that kept me guessing. I was pleasantly surprised at the ending. I found the story well-paced with lots of action, humor, and a great plot! I’m definitely looking forward to future stories in the series. The author provides delicious salad recipes for readers to try.

I reviewed a digital arc provided by NetGalley and Kensington Lyrical Underground. Thank you.

A Killing by the Sea by Kathleen Bridge was another lovely cozy mystery addition to this series. Ms. Bridge's descriptive writing made me feel like I could actually be there at the Indiatlantic by the Sea Hotel and Emporium.

Liz continues to grow and evolve in this book and she has begun to write again now that she is home. Her relationship with Ryan is progressing in a natural way for this relationship-shy woman. However, that all gets put on hold when she finds a body washed up on the shore of the hotel. The young man had been presumed lost at sea from a fishing boat a few days ago. According to Ryan, the young man's death is suspicious. The pace moves smoothly, there is a new addition to the cast of quirky characters that reside at the hotel, play rehearsals for the theater group, a hurricane headed their way, the suspicious death and several suspects kept this book moving until the shocking reveal. I'm already excited to read the next one in this series.

What fun! Love the old hotel and the menagerie of inhabitants. All those references to old actors, shows and movies is wonderful. I am old enough to get all the references too. Liz and Ryan are the love interest that certainly has a long way to go to being a real romance. Although Char and Liz's dad seem to have a good thing going. Aunt Amelia is quite the character and then the whole murder thing. Well this book covers all that and more. Love the slow beach pace of the book. Yet a lot does happen in this book. I thought the book was a great read.

I loved the first instalment in this series and I loved this one.
It was like meeting again some old friend. I loved the plot that kept me guessing till the end and it's full of turns and twists.
I loved the new characters and reading how the relationships were developing.
A very enjoyable and fun read.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to Kensington Books and Netgalley for this ARC

A killing by the sea .
Loved this cozy just as good as the first book .
Aunt Amelia is a laugh especially her nostalgia and knowledge and secrets of her youth . A mix of interesting characters that all live at the Indialantic by the sea
Liz and Ryan are drawn into the mystery of the disappearance of Dylan .
A lot of suspects which keeps you guessing..especially who the killer was.
I enjoyed this book and highly recommend it.
Thanks to net galley and Kensington books for letting me read and review this book.

This was a fun cozy mystery with a well developed plot, plenty of quirky characters and a beautiful Florida beach town setting. After the breakup of a disasterous relationship, Liz Holt has returned home to the Indialantic Hotel and Emporium to write her second novel. The hotel, owned by her great aunt, has an assortment of elderly odd stray residents who her aunt has befriended over the years which makes for a set of unusual but memorable characters which enliven the story. When walking on the beach Liz comes across the body of Dylan, the nephew of Minna, a well known painter who is one of Liz's friends and the owner of a boutique in the Emporium. Minna's home is later firebombed and then ransacked, with someone looking for something that had belonged to Dylan. Was it the gold doubloon Liz found under Dylan's body, something that was on Dylan's camera or something entirely different? With pirate treasure to be found there are suspects galore and plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing.!