I really don’t want this series to end! I love it so much. Once again, we have a fantastic cast of characters and a well-written mystery. The way it’s written, this could be the end of our adventures at the Lobster Shack but I refuse to believe it. Easily read as a stand-alone, it doesn’t matter if you read them in order or not.

Thank you to NetGalley, Shari Randall, and St. Martin’s Press for allowing me the chance to read this story and share my honest thoughts and opinions with others.

One of my favorite Cozy series. I believe there will not be anymore in the series and that makes me sad.

I received this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.


Fun cozy mystery series set in Mystic River. I loved the giant lobster they found named Lobzilla, and didn't figure out who stole him and why until the very end. I felt for the ballerina that couldn't go on pointe, and how she really wanted to get back in shape. I will definitely read more by this author and this series.

Drawn and Buttered by Shari Randall is the third book in the Lobster Shack Mystery series. Tourist season is drawing to a close so things are slowing down at The Lazy Mermaid, a lobster shack. Interest is renewed by the arrival of a giant lobster which is stolen overnight. The lobster turns up unfortunately near a dead body. Allie finds herself in the middle of another mystery while her Aunt Gully gets an offer that seems too good. The mystery is good, and spunky Aunt Gully is easily my favorite character. This book stands alone, but I recommend reading the entire series.

This book was a pretty perfect example of what a cozy mystery should be: a cute, coastal setting, an unsettling mystery and a touch of ghostly presence combined to create a story that you will just breeze right through.

This is the third book in the Lobster Shack series, but can be read as a standalone. But don’t read it if you’re hungry. Cause you will be even hungrier when you read this.

Allie is continuing to heal from her ankle injury which has derailed her dancing career wile helping her aunt run the Lazy Mermaid lobster shack when a gigantic lobster is found, then stolen. And when the lobster reappears, it’s sitting on top of a body, which is on top of a supposedly-haunted grave. Allie find herself once again knee-deep in the investigation, which involves a local fraternity, old secrets and a lot of seafood.

I loved the characters in this book, they were the type of people I’d want to hang out with if I spent a weekend on the beautiful coast of New England. I was rooting for Allie, both in her investigation and to heal up for the performance that will bring her back to the stage. He characters of Verity, Beltane, Aunt Gully, Isabel parish, etc. all added flavor of the novel because you couldn’t possibly guess what was going to happen next with this crazy bunch.

I really liked how this story concluded and felt it as really a good, realistic ending. It’s not perfect, but nothing in life really is, isn’t it?

In addition to the main murder plot, there are several subplots which are really fascinating and are going to lead to me reading the rest of the series. I really can’t wait to see where everything goes - especially the storyline at the dance company, which just shocked me.

I can’t wait to see where this series goes, and will be picking up the next one. And the previous two I missed. You should too.

Overall quite charming and engrossing book, the 3rd in the lobster shack series. While this was my first one, I was captivated from the beginning and did not feel at all adrift at missing the first two books. Allegra (Allie) Larkin, a promising ballerina, is home with her Aunt Gully helping out at the Lazy Mermaid Lobster Shack while recuperating from a devastating broken ankle. As Halloween is only a couple of days away, the tourist season and business at the lobster shack is winding down. That is until, a giant lobster is discovered and brought there for safekeeping until more appropriate digs are readied at the local college. Seems that everyone wants to see Lobzilla. But someone breaks in and steals Lobzilla. Then at a Halloween party a dead body is found in a private cemetery with Lobzilla on top. Allie investigates how the two are tied together while rehearsing her return to the dance stage.

I am so happy that I found this series! I love the lobster theme and Aunt Gully is one of my favorite cozy characters.

This book begins with a huge lobster found in the sea (almost a record-breaker); dubbed Lobzilla, he is safely stored, then stolen. The hunt begins for Lobzilla and when he is found, he is not found alone - he is found next to a dead college student.

Allie is on the case, unofficially of course, to find out what happened to the college student since her beloved dance teacher is accused of the crime. While looking, secrets are revealed about the town's founding family and Allie begins to wonder how far they will go to keep their secrets buried.

**SPOILER** Allie is getting back on her dancing feet at the end of the book, so I really hope this is not the last we see of her and the gang at the Mermaid Lobster Shack.

This was fun to read and well-written. I would love it if Lobzilla became the "pet" in this series and it would be nice to see a little romance take shape, perhaps to develop the characters out even more.

I voluntarily reviewed this book on Netgalley. 4.8 stars

#netgalley #drawnandbuttered

Local history, a gigantic lobster, rowdy frat boys, and a ghost story make for a perfectly fishy cozy. There is something fishy going on around the town where the Lazy Mermaid is located. Allie and Aunt Gully are a great two some and this story line is a winner! Great character development and "bait and switch" for the possible guilty parties. So many people to choose from except of course for the poor soul who is found dead on a supposedly haunted grave.

This is book 3 in the Lobster Shack Mystery series. It's off season and things are quiet in New England until a monster lobster is caught and put on display at the Lobster Shack. Allie and Aunt Gully are trying to lay low but now a series of break ins around Mystic Bay have them helping the police once again. Now a dead body and someone has stolen the Lobzilla from the tank at the Lazy Mermaid. Allie's leg is mending and she is hoping to soon be back with the ballet company. This is a good cozy to read and solve along with Allie and her friends. I received a copy of this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

3.5 stars

Allie Larkin is a ballerina rehabbing from an injury. She is temporarily helping out at her Aunt Gully's lobster shack until she can dance again full-time. She has a nose for mysteries, and happens to be on hand when a murdered college student is found in a graveyard during a Halloween party.

This cozy has an interesting small-town New England setting. The characters are likable, if not particularly well-developed. Allie and her friends and family make for an interesting cast. The plot revolves around a local historical society and a wealthy family with deep colonial roots.

This is a readable cozy which should appeal to series fans. Thanks to the publisher and to Net Galley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I loved this latest addition to the Lobster Shack series! It definitely made a great Halloween tale with the spooky scene in the cemetery where one of the local college students was found murdered--along with a stolen lobster--and all the talk of the ancestors of the founding family being ghosts or vampires. There were a lot of secrets and no shortage of suspects either. I wasn't sure who did it, so it was just a fun ride to see how it all played out.

Aunt Gully was at top speed in this book. She's such a character, and I know that I would get along with her really great. The side story of her being sweet-talked by a guy who wanted to franchise her chowder ended up in the usual hilarity. She milked the attention and gifts for all it was worth, but finally gave him her answer. Allie got Verity to go with her on a couple of sleuthing missions, and those always ended up being crazy.

Another side story was Allie getting a specialized role in The Nutcracker from her choreographer, since she was still being told by her doctor that her ankle wasn't strong enough for dancing en pointe. Everyone had the usual happy ending, and I'm really anxious now for the next book.

I voluntarily read and reviewed this ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own.

The third Lobster Shack mystery, Drawn and Buttered, is another great cozy mystery. It’s Halloween in Mystic Bay Connecticut. A giant Lobzilla goes missing! Houses are broken into but nothing is taken! A witch is afoot! Someone is murdered (of course)!

Allie is out of her ankle cast but cannot yet resume her ballerina life. She continues to help her Aunt Gully at her business, the Lazy Mermaid Lobster Shack, and solve murders in her spare time. This murder is no exception.

Though published in February, Drawn and Buttered is sure to get you in the mood for Halloween. The setting, plots and sub-plots all revolve around a Halloween theme. The plot moves swiftly and the characters seem like family now. Plus who doesn’t enjoy picturing a three-foot long lobster in their heads! This book is highly recommended for all cozy fans. However, if you plan on reading the entire series, you should read them in order to avoid spoilers to earlier books. 4 stars!

Thanks to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for a copy in exchange for an honest review.

AMAZING!! Shari Randall, you did it again, and better!! I love this series. I feel like I am part of community of Mystic Bay when I read these books. The core characters are amazing and every new character introduced is developed extremely well.

Here in book 3, its Halloween. Its Halloween in New England. Old traditions and superstitions are brought to light in reenactments. I was actually familiar with the superstition or folk lore surrounding the Parish Family ancestry. So when a body is found in the old Parish Cemetery, on Halloween night, it makes you questions if there were supernatural beings at work or a murderer.

Its up to Allie, Verity, and a others to crack the case. The shenanigans they get into are mostly comical, yet someone is now actively seeking Allie out. Can Allie crack another case?

Oh and don't forget Lobzilla!! I am also glad we didn't have to deal with Lorel much in this story.

What is so great about Ms. Randall's books, you definitely feel like you are part of the story. Allie is the protagonist/sleuth. She is very likable and relatable. She isn't pushy and while she does find herself in some compromising positions, her behavior isn't as reckless as in some cozies. She lives with her whimsical Aunt Gully, who is quirky for sure but not obnoxious. Also, the "law" is now used to her involvement and actually trust her instincts. They aren't over the top jerks.

Another delightful installment in the series! Randall adds enough drama to the situation to keep you engaged while still having the "light and fluffy" feeling that characterizes cozy mysteries.

I enjoyed this book, it has a great mystery and help from a handsome author. I thought the way the victim died was intriguing. You think it was just a simple accident but ended up being more sinister. I love the setting and characters. I highly recommend this book and series

Drawn and Buttered is Book 3 in the Lobster Shack Mystery Series. While this is part of a series, it does stand alone and one would not be confused if you haven't read the first two books in this fantastic series.
I love this book that is set in New England. As someone who has spent her life in New England, the author does a fantastic job of describing everything from the scenery to the local food. This was a great mystery with lots of twits. The characters are fun and relatable. I am so looking forward to the next book in this series.

This is the 3rd book in the fun "Lobster Shack Mystery Series. I have read the previous book in the series and recommend the entire series. This is a highly enjoyable series with a beautiful setting and always a well crafted fun sleuth. This series is set at "The Lazy Mermaid Lobster Shack" in coastal New England. The location is described so richly by the author this reader feels as if I have traveled to the coast of New England on vacation after every book. Its the perfect armchair travel to beautiful coastal New England.
I received a ARC for my personal review. My opinions are my own.

In this next in series our protagonist Allie and her Aunt are enjoying their down time at their restaurant. Soon a larger then normal Lobster arrives and creates quite a stir in their small town. Soon the restaurant is packed with curious onlookers and it seems their quiet time is behind them. When he is stolen Allie is on the case following a strange robbery at a local wealthy home.. Allie has all her detective skills working overtime to find their lobster and the culprit of the robbery.

This is such a fun read with great charcters and the prefect location. I love the descriptions of the local townspeople and how friendly everyone is to each other. It would be the perfect place to visit . Thank you to the author for another fun addition to this series. The sleuth kept my guessing and was full of twist and turns surprising me at the end. I look forward to the next in series and more adventures on coastal New England at the Lobster Shack!

Drawn and Buttered is a great addition to the Lobster Shack mystery series. Allie, a ballerina, is on leave while her ankle is healing from two breaks, is helping her Aunt Gully at her restaurant, the Lazy Mermaid, in Mystic Bay. She is also pretty good at solving murder mysteries with help from her best friend, Verity. Verity owns a vintage clothing store but loves to help her sleuthing friend. This mystery involves a missing giant, three foot size lobster, better known as Lobzilla and the death of a college student. Max was a student who was with Marine Biology Professor Fred Nickerson when he visited the Lazy Mermaid to see the giant when the lobster was brought in by lobster woman Bertha. Bertha had taken out a group of school kids on her boat when she pulled in the lobster. But Lobzilla was stolen out of the tank at the shack before the professor could transport it to the college.
On Halloween night, there was a big party at the estate of local patriarch Royal Parish where there was a large group of students, including those in the fraternity that Max was in. Local folklore passed down through the generations involve a Parish ancestor buried in the family cemetery walking around. When the group of party attendants went to the cemetery, the body of Max in found next to the ancestor's grave and Lobzilla was with him. When Allie's first ballet teacher is suspected of the crime because her cape is bloody, Allie is determined to prove her innocence.
This is a great mystery to solve with lots of local history and folklore background to decipher. Someone is just as determined to keep the crime unsolved and Allie gets in their way along with others. Ms. Randall does a great job with character development and bringing the setting to life. I hope that are more mysteries ahead in this series.
My thanks to St. Martin's Press through NetGalley for a complimentary ARC. All thoughts and opinions are mine only.

This is a great series but, after reading each of the three books (so far) I have wanted lobster rolls every single time. One of these days.....In any case, it was wonderful to spend more time with Allie and her Aunt Gully and their friends. This time it's Halloween and the summer crowds are gone, replaced by the Leaf Peepers so business is still a rush at Aunt Gully's lobster shack, the Lazy Mermaid. Allie continues to lend a hand while she is recovering from a broken ankle. She is a ballerina eager to return to the stage, all she needs is the green light from her doctor. Until then she has another mystery or two to solve - who stole the monster lobster nicknamed Lobzilla who was residing in a tank at the Lazy Mermaid? Who murdered the university student and why is Lobzilla found at the scene? Add some spooky Halloween antics involving tales of vampires and witches and Allie has a lot to wade through in her attempt to clear her dance mentor, Madame, a former Russian dancer whose bloody cape is at the crime scene and places her at the top of the prime suspect list. The crime scene also happens to be the private cemetery of the founding family of Mystic Cove. What is the connection and what secrets might the family be trying to hide?
This entry can easily be read as a stand alone but, if you enjoy this one as much as I did, you will be eager to read the previous two books. Allie, Aunt Gully and everyone else will welcome you and feed you well and the laughter will brighten your days.

A delightful read that is full of quirkiness and laughter that you will not want to put down. Aunt Gully is the aunt we all wished we had in our lives. She is supportive, loving and ready to jump into the fray with you.

Drawn and Buttered is the third book in the Lobster Shack Mystery series but you can jump into the series at any time. Beware, once you take the plunge you will never want to leave. The series is your typical cozy mystery series with clean language, no gory detailed violence, and no offense sex scenes.

The vivid descriptions of Aunt Gully's lobster rolls and chowder will have your mouth watering and your mind convincing you that you need to drive to the Connecticut coast immediately. Pretty soon I think my phone is going to automatically book me a plane ticket.

One of my favorite characters is Bronwyn and I keep hoping she makes more of an appearance that an occasional one. She is a great balance to Allie and Verity.

I hope you take a chance and visit my friends in Mystic Bay, Connecticut. I really think you would enjoy.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from St. Martin's Press through NetGalley. Any and all opinions expressed in the above review are entirely my own.