Julia Snowden runs her family's clambake business, and the end of summer is near. But one morning everything is delayed for the funeral of a local, Heloise 'Lou' Herrickson, a woman who was generous and loved by all who knew her. But the funeral takes a turn when Lou's heir, Bartholomew Frick, shows up late and doesn't speak to anyone, then leaves just as quickly when the service is over.

But what really causes problems is when Frick closes off the beach and road access in front of Herrickson House, angering the townspeople. The beach has been used daily by clammers who make their living, beachcombers, including one who lives in a nearby cottage, and the occasional tourist who stay in a small home next to the lighthouse.

When Julia goes to talk to Frick she comes across the housekeeper who has quit rather than work for him, and her attempts at getting him to open the beach again are fruitless. But she learns later that day that Frick has been found dead, murdered, and she might have been one of the last people to see him alive.

When she's asked by the Snugg sisters, who run a bed and breakfast across the street from her home, to help the housekeeper, Ida, prove her innocence if needed, she can't say no. But things get complicated sooner than later when her boyfriend Chris has secrets of his own, and it starts to affect their life. He also asks for Julia's help in something, but she needs more information before she's willing to commit herself. But Chris isn't so willing to share, and it causes problems.

Now Julia has to help find a killer before someone is wrongfully accused and she doesn't realize just how complicated her life will become. Will she find a link that will lead her to the truth, or will it be too late and the wrong person will be convicted?

Once again Ms. Ross has given us an intriguing mystery to be unraveled, because that is exactly what we must do. Take the tapestry she has woven and unravel it, thread by thread, to find the truth hidden inside. It is an engaging tale that manages to take each piece and connect them seamlessly, with the reader discovering the connections one by one, the same as Julia. While there are plenty of 'aha!' moments, it is indeed a pleasure to watch her as she takes each one and puts the puzzle together, coming to a satisfying conclusion.

This was a highly enjoyable read, and I applaud Ms. Ross on a story that is both delightful and believable. We learn more about Chris's past and why he is the person he is, which, as a subplot, brings compassion and understanding to the narrative. The characters are convincing, and the descriptions of the clambake make you want to experience it firsthand.

At the last, I was sorry to see the story end. It kept me reading throughout the night, captured in the mystery. This is the seventh book in the series, and quite as good as the others; I hope to see it continue on for a good long while. Highly recommended.

https://www.amazon.com/Steamed-Open-Maine-Clambake-Myster

Loved it! A quick read that kept me turning the pages. Or actually worrying about my device running out of power in the wee hours of the morning. Couldn't get back to sleep as I wanted to finish the book. This a thoroughly engaging and entertaining cozy mystery series. I am eager for the next one.

This well-written and tightly woven page-turner had everything I love in a whodunit - a great cast, an intriguing mystery, engaging dialogue and an all-around feel good atmosphere. The tone was very comfortable and the pacing was on par with how well this story was being told. The author has a way with the narrative that pulled me in completely as if I’m a part of all the action.

Ms. Ross did a great job in staging this story, where the killer was hiding in plain sight. While diligently giving us a glimpse into the lives of the potential suspects, clues were scattered throughout with some strategically placed and surprising twists that truly enhanced the telling of this tale. From Julia to Chris to Binder to Emmy to the Snuggs and others, all had pivotal roles that shaped the direction the drama was taking place and I liked it, especially learning more about Chris’s background. This was a wonderful and entertaining story that I could not put down until all was said and done. I look forward to the next chapters in the lives of Julia and her friend in this delightfully charming series.

Steamed Open is the seventh book in the Maine Clambake Mystery series written by Barbara Ross. This is a well-plotted murder mystery with a great cast of realistic characters. The story moves at a steady pace and has enough twists, turns, and suspects to keep the reader engaged. There is sufficient background information provided to allow this book to be read as a standalone.

It’s summer in Busman’s Harbor, Maine where Julia Snowden helps with her family’s business, the Snowden Family Clambake, which provides boat tours and authentic clambakes on Morrow Island, their private island, and operates a restaurant with her boyfriend, Chris Durand, in the off-season. Chris has always been secretive about his past and family, but Julia is finally able to get him to open up and explain some of his history with her which initially causes friction between them, but as he opens up more, it ultimately brings them closer together. When Heloise “Lou” Herrickson passes away at the age of one hundred and one, she leaves her mansion, lighthouse, and the keeper's cottage to her grandnephew by marriage, Bartholomew “Bart” Frick, to honor her deceased husband’s wishes. Bart wastes no time erecting a fence and a locked gate across the road, denying public access to the beach, clamming, the lighthouse, and cottage which Lou always encouraged. The clammers, residents, and visitors stage a protest but are told the property will remain closed off until a court holds a hearing to resolve the matter or an agreement can be reached. Julia tries to reason with him, but Bart refuses to grant access to the property. Shortly after his arrival, he’s found dead in the mansion. Julia’s mother’s neighbors, the Snugg sisters, ask her to investigate the murder and protect Ida Fischer, Lou’s longtime housekeeper and companion, who had served twenty years in prison for the murder of her husband. Julia’s determined to find the killer and figure out who inherits the property now that Frick is dead.

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

"It’s summertime in Busman’s Harbor, Maine, and the clamming is easy—or it was until a mysterious new neighbor blocks access to the beach, cutting off the Snowden Family Clambake’s supply. Julia Snowden is just one of many townspeople angered by Bartholomew Frick’s decision. But which one of them was angry enough to kill?"

Just another typical cozy mystery. For people who have read and enjoy this series, this one will delight them as well. I liked the town people well enough, I just found the story a tad expected. I had a hard time getting into this book. I do not believe I will read another book in this series.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley. The views given are my own

A wonderful story, both the mystery and the description of the New England small town and characters. Very well written and with a good plot.

With Steamed Open, #7, Barbara Ross continues to write intriguing entries in her Maine Clambake series.

Julia Snowden manages the Snowden Family Clambake business while succumbing to her penchant for sleuthing. The heir to an estate on the beach is found murdered just a few days after inheriting. Julia gets involved since her supplier for clams is cut off from his source of clams due to the change in ownership.

The mystery is complex and the story rich with life in Busman’s Harbor, Maine. Ms. Ross creates a warm and comfortable community with authentic characters, realistic dialogue and relatable situations. In this entry Julia’s boyfriend, Chris, finally reveals what’s behind his reluctance to commit to a more serious relationship.

Of course, Julia spends a lot of time chasing down clues, interviewing suspects and making sure the family business runs smoothly. A warning note: don’t pick up this cozy unless you’re prepared to read right through to the end – it is that engaging.

When an elderly neighbor, Heloise Herrickson dies and her heir decides to cut off access to the beach, everyone in Busman's Harbor, Maine, is worried about their business and their recreation opportunities. Most of all Julia Snowden is concerned about her Clambake Company's ability to get the staple of their cookouts - clams - with the beach access close.

Clammers, locals and tourists alike are outraged when they discover a chain link gate across Herrickson Point, the access to the beach. The sign calling out Private Property means business. When Julia discovers the heir to the property is responsible for the fence, she sets out to change his mind.

Despite her urging Batholomew Frick keeps the gate closed and prohibits access, but shortly after Julia speaks with him, he is found dead. Not a good sign being the last to see the victim alive. Especially when he is dead with a clam rake stabbed into his neck.

In this 7th book in the A Maine Clambake Mystery series, a man is found murdered in his newly inherited mansion. This book can be read as a standalone.

It’s summertime in Busman’s Harbor, Maine and the tourist season is in full swing. Julia Snowden is running their family business, Snowden Family Clambake alongside her sister, her mother and her boyfriend. They provide dining experience and organize tours of Busman’s Harbor for tourists who are looking forward to spending their time sightseeing and enjoying the Snowden Family clam dishes.

Bartholomew Frick has inherited a mansion from his great-aunt, Lou, who recently passed. In addition to the mansion, he has also inherited a lighthouse and the lighthouse keeper’s cottage. The mansion overlooks Sea Glass Beach where clammers go to clam for steamers and where beach lovers go to sunbathe. Shortly after his great aunt’s funeral, Frick puts up a chain link gate over his newly acquired property cutting off public access to the beach and the lighthouse. Clammers and lighthouse lovers are unhappy about this.

Julia’s Snowden Family Clambake business has been affected since the clammers are unable to supply clams for their clambake meals. Moreover, Frick's decision will affect clammers who rely solely on supplying clams to provide for their families. The locals have even gone so far as to file an injunction against Frick.

Julia pays Frick a visit and tries, unsuccessfully, to persuade him to change his mind about allowing clammers on the beach.

Following her encounter with Frick, Julia gets a surprise visit from the police. According to them, Frick was found dead that morning in his mansion, stabbed in the neck with a clam rake. They also learned from a witness that Julia was at his house around the same time he was murdered.

Who would have been angry enough to kill Frick? Could it be one of the locals or Ida Fischer, Lou’s housekeeper who was suddenly dismissed from service by the new owner of the mansion? As the cops interview suspects, Julia does a little bit digging of her own to find the killer and restore calm to Busman Harbor once again. Moreover, she is more concerned as to who stands to inherit the mansion with Frick dead.

I absolutely enjoyed this book and I was immediately hooked from the first page. The storyline was easy to follow and kept me guessing until the very end. The characters are likeable and relatable. Overall I found this book engaging and I look forward to reading the next book in the series. Highly recommend to anyone looking for a cozy read.
This book includes mouthwatering clam recipes to sate the reader.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Wonderful Coastal Maine Cozy Mystery
This book is seventh in a series and it stands alone very well. I have not read any of the prior books, but I plan to! The is a wonderful book! It takes time to explain coastal Maine; its heritage, livelihood, and ecology. The mystery portion of the book is excellent. There are plenty of suspects with motive and opportunity. All of the characters are well developed and realistic. I plan on reading more of this author's work. I received this book for free and this is my honest opinion.

In this story, the Clambake is in the middle of the busy summer season when their clam suppliers are suddenly limited by a newcomer to town. When the newcomer turns up dead, there initially seems to be no possible motive other than the beach access they had blocked. But as Julia digs into the mystery, she learns startling facts that could change people's lives.

The latest addition to the Snowden Family Clambake series sees Julia investigating a murder. Surprise, right?! But Ross's stories never feel formulaic. Her characters feel like real people, not throwaway townsfolk to be mentioned once and never again. The Snowden family are people that you want to root for. Busman's Harbor is growing more in detail with each book, and the reader can easily imagine the small streets, the harbor, the bed and breakfast., the taciturn Gus. I'll always be looking forward to the next Clambake book.

Beach access. Geez. Bartholomew Frick inherited and promptly cut off access to the beach which was used by tourists and businesses alike, including Julia Snowden, whose family runs summer tours and clambakes. Busman's Harbor, Maine is a typical cozy small town, with lots of people who could be suspects when Frick is murdered= but there are also tourists who are possible suspects. One of the charms of this series is the relationship between Julia and her family, as well as with her love interest Chris, who has been a bit of a cipher. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. This is fine as a standalone but I enjoyed visiting again as Julia worked her way through to solve the crime and I'm looking forward to the next one.

This book has a serious side to it. From the vagaries of fishing/hunting seasons, public access rights, to family trauma and genetic diseases. It's a great mystery, I really like how Julia researches and connects the clues to find the missing heir. #SteamedOpen #NetGalley

This book was so hard to put down, I read it in one sitting! I love the small, seaside town of Busman's Harbor and the family clambake featured in this series. They're practically characters in the story. The characters are great, from protagonist Julia and her boyfriend Chris to policemen Dawes, Binder, and Flynn, and all the family and friends in between. Some of the usual side characters are little more than a mention in this book, but we meet several interesting, new characters. This is a well-written mystery, centered around recently-deceased Lou and her family's extremely valuable oceanside estate, her heirs - one of whom winds up dead - and a disinherited relative. There are a few solid suspects and a couple characters with mysterious histories. There's also a side storyline revealing more of Chris' background. I'm already looking forward to the next book in the series, and this one hasn't been released yet! For readers who haven't discovered the joy of the Maine Clambake Mysteries yet, this book works as a stand-alone, but I highly encourage you to start from the beginning and enjoy the whole series chronologically!

I received an advance copy of this book. This review contains my honest thoughts and opinions.

Steamed Open is a part of a cozy mystery series set in Maine. Julia helps run her family’s clambake business. It is a lot of work, and that and the fact that they need to earn most of their money during in a four-month tourist season is mentioned often. It was an enjoyable read until the end. The villain seemed to be thrown in at the last minute, and there is no real explanation for the murder other than he was mad. Still the setting is nice, (coastal Maine!) and the sleuthing was fun. While this can be read as a standalone, reading other books in the series will help understand some of the supporting characters better.

I loved my latest visit to Busman's Harbor in Barbara Ross' A Maine Clambake Mystery series. 'Steamed Open' is full of intrigue with story lines that offer lots of suspects and had me guessing until the end. Family and relationship issues are addressed in a heart wrenching manner, especially with Julia and Chris. I highly recommend this entire series. You will in no way be disappointed and will be waiting anxiously like me for the next book.

Steamed Open is the seventh installment in the A Maine Clambake Mystery series set in Busman's Harbor, ME and featuring Julia Snowden and her families Clambake business. Summer is in full swing with business on their private Morrow Island booming and plans underway to rebuild the fire ravaged family home Windsholme.

Sadly one of the town's matriarchs, the beloved Heloise "Lou" Herrickson passes away at the age of one hundred and one, and leaves her mansion, lighthouse and lighthouse keeper's cottage to her grand nephew Bart Frick. Sea Glass Beach which surrounds the family compound had been kept open and available to the public for years, allowing both sunbathers and clammers to enjoy the beautiful Maine coast. But on his first day in town Bart erects a sturdy fence cutting off all access and angering both townspeople and visiting tourists.

With the steamer beds cut off and Julia's family relying heavily on the delicious bivalves to make their authentic clambakes complete, Julia sets out to try and reason with the new heir. Her pleas fall on deaf ears and she resigns to find another means to get Bart to change his mind. When the man is found dead bludgeoned by a clam rake, there is no shortage of suspects including Julia herself.

Determined to find a killer and bring peace back to Busman's Harbor Julia sets out to dig up the killer. Her investigation leads to deeply buried Herrickson family secrets and she soon finds herself trying to untangle a complicated string of clues that ultimately put her in the path of danger.

A page turner from the start, a fast paced plot filled with twists and turns and the return of many well loved and developed main characters. The author reveals a little more about Julia's boyfriend Chris and his past which ultimately brings the two even closer together and it will be exciting to see what happens in the next installment. Mouthwatering food descriptions will have you rushing to the nearest fishmonger to purchase a delicious saltwater delicacy.

I received an advanced copy of Steamed Open from NetGalley via Kensington Publishing. While not required to write a review I am more than happy to offer my honest opinion.

Thanks to NetGalley for an advance copy of this book.

I really like the main character Julia Swanson and admire her and her family's work ethic to put on clambakes twice a day, seven days a week in the summer months. And she also finds the time to help find people and investigate mysteries. This is the first full book I've read in this series, but I want to read the rest. I enjoyed learning about "steamers", soft shelled clams which are easy to find on Maine beaches. Highly recommended to those who like cozy mysteries.

Steamed Open by Barbara Ross, her 7th Maine Clambake Mystery, is another well-written tale in this cozy series. It's the end of summer, and when a wealthy longtime resident passes away, the heir to her estate cuts off beach access on her property, raising the hackles of the residents of Busman's Harbor. Not surprisingly, it isn't long before the new heir is found dead, and Julia must sort through ancient family history to discover the motive for the crime. Lots of hidden secrets abound, and we even learn little bit more of Chris' family background which is a nice addition to the story. I really enjoy this series, and Ms. Ross does a wonderful job of keeping the reader guessing right up until the very end of the book. I absolutely recommend it to anyone looking for a (yes, pun is definitely intended!) cozy mystery to read! A+

Great Cozy Series I learned about digging for clams! The detailed relationship searches to find Lou's heirs was very interesting.

Another season for Snowden Family Clambake and things are going well until Lou Herrickson's heir shuts off access to her beach for everyone, even Will Orsolini and the other clammers whose livelihood comes from gathering clams there and Will sells to Snowden family for their daily clambake excursions.

When heir Bart Frick is murdered, Julia is asked to investigate by a neighbor to clear the Herrickson housekeeper.

Julia's skills at uncovering clues from the smallest detail has her providing the police with new people to question.

The Snowden family home, Windsholme, restoration project is discussed and plans are underway. Julia & Chris' relationship moves forward once Chris shares his family & dark secrets.