Nogged Off was a cute and entertaining story. It had charming characters and storyline. Well written and interesting storyline.

This was a great cozy mystery novella! I really enjoyed this book. This is book 4.5 in the Maine Clambake mystery series, and even though I hadn't read any of the previous books in the series, I had no problem catching up with the characters.

In this story, Julia Snowden returns to New York City to close up her apartment and officially turn it over to her subletter, Imogen Geinkes. Julia discovers that after an "egg nog incident" at work , Imogen has quit her job and can no longer take the apartment. Julia and Imogen pack up the apartment, and since Imogen has no where to go for Christmas, Julia takes everything - Imogen included- home to Maine..

The next day, the truck with all their belongings goes missing, and a few days later, is recovered with the body of Imogen's ex-boyfriend found inside.

Julia is on the case to discover what happened, and meanwhile, Imogen is ingratiating herself to Julia's family.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a quick cozy mystery. This was a fun holiday read! I am definitely going to find the other books in this series.

Thanks to Kensington Books and #NetGalley for a free advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

"4.5th book in the 'A Maine Clambake Mystery' series by Barbara Ross reads very easily as stand alone novel. Author gives just enough backstory for everything to click.
Nogged Off is Holiday Season cosy mystery set in small township in Maine. It is as much about a murder as it is about baking Christmas cookies and judging Christmas Tree competition.
A story is light, characters are likeable. A very worthy holiday time read, when your stomach is full and soul is merry.
There are no cruelty or gross details. There is plenty of human nature at its best and at its worth.
All is well that ends well just in time for Christmas lunch. "

Lovely festive mystery book. Easy to read. Wasn’t long just perfect when you don’t have long. It was entertaining. Good wee thrill for over the festive period when everyone is to stressed to get into a long book

“If your mom understands your job, you don’t have a very good one.”
Barbara Ross, Nogged Off, Kindle Loc. 213

‘Twas the week before Christmas, and Julia Snowden’s escape from New York has just hit a snag. Fresh off accidentally poisoning half her colleagues with her “Killer Eggnog,” Julia’s would-be subletter, Imogen Geinkes, is now jobless and homeless—leading Julia to invite the young woman home for the holidays in Maine. But when they unload the rental truck in Busman’s Harbor, they find something that wasn’t on anyone’s packing list: the body of Imogen’s former boyfriend.

Suddenly, the wordplay in Imogen’s name—“I’m a jinx”—isn’t so adorable. But for all the calamities that follow in Imogen’s wake, Julia’s certain she’s no killer. As Julia digs into the case, the appearance of the ex’s brother—his identical twin—doubles the confusion. Has Imogene been double-crossed by an evil twin? Was the eggnog “accident” no accident at all? If Julia doesn’t unwrap the murderer’s true identity soon, one of the twelve days of Christmas could be her last . . .
Amazon.com

Nogged Off was originally published in Eggnog Murder, a volume containing novelettes by Leslie Meier, Lee Hollis, and Barbara Ross in 2016. As of the beginning of October, if you have Kindle Unlimited, you can read Eggnog Murder for free. If not, Kensington rereleased Nogged Off as a single title on October 29th. If you haven’t read Barbara’s Maine Clambake mysteries, this title should be read as book 4.5, between Fogged Inn and Iced Under.

Main character Julia Snowden is too damn nice, which gets her into a lot of trouble. Sharing her family and their Christmas with someone she only knows on paper proves to be dangerous. There are gripping twists to the plot and characters that forced me to stay up past my bedtime and finish the book. There are lovely cozy elements—but then there’s also a psychopath and Julia’s apprehension—which is to say, Barbara provides nice contrasts allowing you to sink into your cozy-cushioned sofa while experiencing that nervy tingle at the back of your neck.

Please welcome Barbara Ross back to WWK. E. B. Davis

How does Imogen end up coming home to Busman’s Harbor with Julia?

Julia finds the subtenant in her Manhattan apartment, Imogen, jobless, boyfriendless, estranged from her parents, and now unable to pay the rent. Imogen wheedles Julia into taking her to Julia’s home in Busman’s Harbor, Maine, to experience a true New England Christmas.

From what Julia can gather, Imogen gets financial help from her parents. Although she’s just out of college, doesn’t Julia wonder if Imogen is a spoiled brat?

Julia definitely thinks something is up with Imogen, but she can’t quite figure out what.



Is L.L. Bean open 24/7 all the time or just around Christmas?

Really, the flagship L.L. Bean store in Freeport, Maine, is open 24/7, 365 days a year.

Although Imogen is young and dismayed, she’s also irritating to Julia and her pregnant sister, Livvie. How is Imogen irritating? Why isn’t their mother affected?

My brother once referred to someone as “the son my mother never had.” Of course, she had a son—my brother! This person was irritatingly ingratiating. My mother ate it up, but it drove my brother crazy. I sort of modeled Imogen’s relationship with Julia, Livvie, and their mother on that relationship.

I was surprised to learn that during Julia’s formative years, the Snowdens didn’t have Christmas in Busman’s Harbor. Why not?

Thanksgiving belonged to Julia’s dad’s family where they celebrated with grandparents and many aunts, uncles and cousins. But Julia’s mother, an only child, couldn’t completely abandon her widowed father. Every year, they would make the long trek to his apartment in New York City, even though he wasn’t someone who comprehended the kind of Christmas two little girls might expect. Julia’s parents did their best to make the grim little holiday into a celebration.

Julia acknowledges that Livvie’s unexpected first pregnancy actually pulled the family together. How did this happen?

I think this may be common in families. Everyone is devastated when a teenager becomes pregnant, but that bundle of joy gets everyone to rally. In Livvie’s case, it hasn’t worked out so badly. She’s still married to the baby’s father, and they’ve turned out to be wonderful parents.

Imogen appears to be a jinx or at least very accident prone. Why would her parents name her Imogen Mary Ann Geinkes, which seems to spell out—I’m a jinx? Is it a coincidence?

I guess it must be, since they couldn’t have known about her ability to rain trouble down on everyone she meets when she was an infant—or maybe they did.

It appears that Imogen’s estranged boyfriend, Wade, followed Julia’s rental truck from NYC to Maine. After it was hijacked, someone murdered Wade and stuck him in the back of the rental truck. But when his identical twin shows up, Imogen identifies him as Wade so the body must have been his identical twin, Wayne. I’ve never known identical twins. Are they really indistinguishable?

I don’t think identical twins are indistinguishable to their mothers or wives, close relatives or good friends. But Julia has just met them and has only seen one of them when he was dead—but which one?

What are mirror-image twins?

Wayne and Wade are mirror image twins. One is right-handed, the other left-handed. One’s hair parts on the right, one on the left. It’s like looking at yourself in the mirror. This only happens if the fertilized egg splits in two a very specific number of days after conception.

What is a Gentleman’s Night at Christmas time? Pajama Shopping Day?

These stories are based on real celebrations in Boothbay Harbor where my husband and I used to own a home. Men’s Night (the real name) is a night the stores are open late. It used to be a time for men to buy holiday gifts for their wives and sweethearts, but now it’s a more general holiday celebration. There is also Early Bird Shopping Day when the shops open at 6:00 a.m., offer big discounts, and everyone shops in their pajamas. Really.

What is the difference between a sociopath and a psychopath?

The best explanation I have heard is that sociopaths are hot and psychopaths are cold. Both have trouble feeling empathy and emotion. A sociopath seeks emotional stimulation by ensuring everyone around them is upset and in turmoil. They’re the neighbor who drives all the other neighbors crazy, the relative who spoils every family celebration. Psychopaths on the other hand can be intelligent and charming. They wear the mask of someone just like you, but they are not.



Julia observes to solve crimes, but she also is intuitive. Is that like a sixth sense?

I don’t think Julia has any super-powers. I think she’s intelligent, curious, observant, driven, and feisty, but I don’t think she’s extraordinary.

Do the Snowdens get to celebrate Christmas on their own?

The Snowdens celebrate Christmas Eve with extended family, friends, and neighbors. Christmas Day it’s just them—and Chris, Julia’s boyfriend who has adopted and been adopted by the family.

Yes, I’ve started reading Christmas books. No, I haven’t started Christmas shopping.

I read a Halloween novella in the Maine Clambake Mystery series and enjoyed it, so I picked up this Christmas one. I do love seasonal reads. Nogged Off was fun and light and has a bit of a twist at the end.

Julia is trying to wrap everything up in New York, bringing all of her belongings back to Maine. The problem is that Imogene, who was going to take over the apartment, has just lost her job and broken up with her boyfriend. Julia takes pity on her and brings her to Maine for Christmas. And that’s when all the trouble starts. Imogene just attracts disaster. And then Imogene’s ex-boyfriend shows up, murdered in the back of the moving truck.

This is a novella, and the focus is mostly on Julia and Imogene. The mystery itself was good. We see the clues along with Julia and the cops are not bumbling, just caught against the constraints of getting things done over the holidays. Julia’s mom and sister are around too; everyone’s getting ready for Christmas. Part of the whodunnit was a bit surprising, although maybe I should have seen it coming.

This is a series I need to go back and start from the beginning. I enjoy spending time in Busman’s Harbor. I like that Julia may be a bit trusting, but doesn’t seem to do too many stupid things. I like her boyfriend Chris, who is supportive without being bossy.

Fun and funny. Strong characters in a family environment. I love lexi! Her interaction with imogene made me smile.v

A cute, quick story in the Maine Clambake series that takes place over the holidays, this novella is fun way to get into the Christmas spirit. Once again, Barbara Ross steers slightly off of the typical cozy path, making this another fun read that keeps you guessing.

It's Christmas on Morrow Island and Julia has time to return to NYC to pack up the rest of her belongings and make her move back home permanent. When she gets to New York she finds a distraught Imogen, who was subletting her apartment, now unemployed and homeless. Well, one thing leads to another and Imogen returns to Morrow Island with Julia. Too bad something travels with them - the very dead body of Imogen's ex boyfriend. Or is it his identical twin? Either way one looks at it, he's dead and a killer has to be caught. This wasn't part of their Christmas plans but, given the way Julia attracts homicides, it's nothing new.
This is a novella, #4.5 and was previously included in The Egg Nog Murder collection. For the next full length mystery in the Maine Clambake series, #8, Sealed Off comes out 12/31/2019.

While Busman, Maine is busy preparing
for the Christmas holiday, Julia Snowden
of the Snowden Family Clambake Company
is returning to New York to collect her belongings.
She has been subletting her apartment so this
will be her final trip to New York.
When she arrives, she discovers the person,
Imogen, who is subletting the apartment a
hysterical mess.
Seems the eggnog Imogen made for the
Christmas party sent everyone who drank it to
the hospital.
Imogen is jobless, her boyfriend left her plus
she has nowhere to go as she can’t afford the
apartment. Julia offers to take Imogen to
Busman, Maine to stay with Mrs. Snowden.
But trouble seems to follow Imogen.......
The moving truck with all Julia’s belonging from
New York gets stolen out of Julia’s Mothers
driveway. At the parade of boats when Santa
arrives....Imogen manages to knock Santa into
the water. At the decorated tree competition...
Imogen manages to knock over all the trees. Then
Imogen’s ex-boyfriend ends up murdered inside
the stolen truck.
But when the boyfriend shows up alive or is it
his identical twin brother.....What is happening?
Who is trying to fool whom? Was the office party
eggnog problem caused on purpose? How is the
Russian mob involved in all this?
Join the feisty Julia as she protects her family
and friends from the sinister evil lurking around
the preparations for Christmas. Will she be able
to figure out the puzzle confronting her?
The secondary characters are well written,
colorful, quirky and make the story interesting.
The plot moves at a fast pace with plenty of
twists and turns to keep the reader glued to the
book. It is an original and unusual story that
will make the reader feel they are right there in
Busman with the characters.
There is a stop at the famous L.L. Beans plus
mouthwatering recipes at the end of the book.
This is book # 4.5 in the Maine Clambake
Mysteries series. It can be read as a stand alone.
The author weaves the past and present together
effortlessly making the reader right at home on
this scenic Maine adventure.
Good read with suspense, mystery, romance
and humor.
I volunteered to read Nogged Off. Thanks to
NetGallery and the publisher, Kensington Books
for the opportunity.
My opinion is voluntary and my own.

Princess Fuzzypants here: Julia is in NYC to close down her apartment and her previous life, expecting to return to Maine unencumbered . Little does she expect to come back with more baggage the she ever dreamed in the form of the tenant who had been subletting from her. It seems the poor girl just broke up with her loser boyfriend, lost her job and has nowhere to go. So she invites herself back to Maine with Julia. What Julie does not realize is she is importing more than a young woman who cannot get a break.
The moving van she rented is stolen from her mother’s driveway before it can be unpacked. When discovered, there is a dead body in it. It is her guest’s former boyfriend. Or is it? This story has some substantial twists in it with false identities, Russian Mob connections and psychopaths. What has Julia inadvertently invited into her family for Christmas? While her suspicions help the police uncover a convoluted conspiracy, even Julia is shocked when all is revealed. It is a ride for her and for the reader.
I have enjoyed this series and this is a corker. I give it five purrs and two paws up. It does have a Maine Coon named Le Roi after all.

Nogged off by Barbara Ross is a part of the A Maine Clambake Mystery series. If you read Eggnog Murder which came out a year ago (three novellas in one book), then you have already enjoyed Nogged Off. Julia Snowden goes to clear out her Tribeca apartment and ends up taking Imogen Geinkes home to her mother’s house for the holidays. Murder and confusion soon ensues. I enjoyed reading Nogged Off. It is well-written and proceeds at a steady pace. Julia, Chris, Gus, Julia’s mother are all included in the story. It can be read as a standalone for those new to the series. I thought the whodunit was clever with a surprising twist. In addition, there are some mysterious happenings at the Snowden house. They are beginning to wonder if the house is haunted. I enjoyed the humor sprinkled throughout Nogged Off. Nogged Off is an entertaining novella with a curious mystery, Christmas traditions, good food, family, friends, humor and a little mayhem.

It's Christmas time in Maine! This is the first book I've read in the Maine Clambake Mystery series but there is enough backstory that I had no trouble following along, and now I've gone back to read the first book. The characters are interesting, as are the Snowden family dynamics. Being from Texas, I like reading books set in different places, and the Maine coastline is definitely different. The descriptions make me feel like I'm right there, and just as cold. Also, I enjoyed reading about the holiday traditions in a coastal town, where Santa comes to town in a boat (ours is a fire truck). I highly recommend this book and look forward to more.

I received a complimentary copy through NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

A clever novella mystery.
What a good way to start the run up to Christmas with this storyline.
A fun read , love the clambake series with Julia and family.
Definitely recommend this book and series by Barbara Ross.
Thanks to Kensington and NetGalley for advance copy for my honest review.

Always finding herself in the middle of chaos, this latest mini installment is the perfect compliment to a fabulous series. Twists, turns and family make this a charming read from start to finish.

Nogged Off is a fun Christmas themed novella with a fast pace. Even though I had suspicion early on who the culprit was, the ending still had a bit of a surprise. Nevertheless, the book also has a lot of Christmas flair and I wouldn't mind some of the traditions mentioned in the book, such as the pajama breakfast/shopping.

This is the Fourth book in the popular "Main Clambake Mystery Series" by cozy author Barbara Ross. Thank you to the publisher and to Net Galley for the opportunity. My review opinion is my own.. Review cross posted across platforms . This is a Christmas theme book for the series and the perfect cozy read for the start of the holiday reading season.

I have read the entire series and enjoy it so much ! This is a charming endearing cozy series that I look forward to returning to with each new release. In this next in series Julie is in New York the week before Christmas and heading back to her family in Main after she packs her belongings. She finds the tenant of her apartment in a bad way after accidentally poisoning her co workers with her bad egg nog. Julie feels bad for the distraught girl and offers for her to come with her to Maine. Julie is returning to her families clam bake business in Bussman Harbor Maine for good having made the final decision to leave New York and stay in Maine. Unknown to Julie the girl is trouble and soon as they travel occurrences start to occur that make her suspect to Julie. She fears the girl may be taking advantage of her generosity and has alternative motives. Their rental truck is stolen and soon Julie starts to put together some disturbing facts.

I really loved this well crafted mystery. The ending was surprising to me to conclusion. I love the charcters and enjoy the coastal setting of Maine and a clambake business is fun to read about. I look forward to the next in series with Julie and her endearing family.

This was a quick, easy, and very enjoyable read. Just how much can go wrong you ask. You just might be surprised. But it all gets explained before the end of the story. You might even learn something you didn’t know. Love these characters. Have you ever been jealous of someone when you think they are taking your place? I hope to visit Maine one day, but until then I’ll just enjoy stories in that setting. You also get a couple yummy recipes in this book. I received this book from NetGalley, but my opinion is my own.

After making the decision to give up her apartment in New York City to reside in Busman's Harbor Maine near her family full time, Julia finds Imogene, the woman currently subletting the apartment in tears. Apparently it has not been a good year for Imogene. In quick succession she has lost her job and her boyfriend. As Imogene has no way to pay the next month's rent, Julia makes the kindhearted decision to bring Imogene back to Maine with her. A moving truck with helpers is quickly procured and everything in the apartment is packed up. The pair safely make it back to Busman's Harbor and Imogene is given a room at Julia's mothers. It seems as though Imogene's string of bad luck has followed her out of the city as the moving truck, with all of Julia's possessions inside is stolen. When it is finally returned, the body of Imogene's ex boyfriend is found inside.
This was a fun, fast paced, relatively short holiday novella, perfect to curl up with during the holiday season. The characters in this series are always a delight to catch up with, as they are hardworking and relateable but also warm and endearing. Although I felt as though I had the mystery solved pretty early on, it turns out I was wrong and was pleasantly surprised by the ending. The little details surrounding Christmas in a small town in Maine were fascinating and added an overall charm to the book that will delight many cozy mystery fans. I highly recommend this short novella for those looking for a quick Christmas mystery that is sure to put you in the holiday spirit.

I read this novella last year in the Eggnog Murder anthology. This is one of my favorite series and this novella is a perfect read for the Holiday. Julia once again finds a body and sets out to solve the mystery with some help from Chris. The mystery is really good and there is a nice twist at the end. Enjoy spending the Holidays in Busman's Harbor