I have read many Leslie Meier books and loved them all. This one is just a little different from her usual cozy mysteries but in this case, different is good. A billionaire has bought an island in the local area and has decided that on his island, everyone will live an environmental friendly lifestyle. This means no conveniences that we have become accustomed to using. The "Invitation Only" part of the title brings our heroine Lucy to the island in search of an exclusive story on the billionaire and his island. Instead, she gets to solve a murder. As always, this Leslie Meier book is entertaining and has enough suspense that you'll keep changing your mind on "who did it".

Let me begin by stating that I have read just about all of the Lucy Stone mysteries written by Leslie Meier. I naturally jumped at the chance to read this one. After reading it, I can only conclude that the author decided to move the series in a new direction or somehow thought this one would fit in with all the rest. In my opinion, it does not. I find the rest of the series to be easy-going, cozy mysteries, but this one is not in that genre. It is a great book and well written, but it is not really a cozy mystery.

Lucy Stone is invited to spend a few days at a private Maine island by an eccentric billionaire Scott Newman, who has recently bought the island which is a short distance from Tinkers Cove, where Lucy lives with her family. Lucy, a part-time reporter at the local paper, hopes to get a feel for the island and write a profile of it an d of Scott. Lucy is well aware that life on the island is like life in the nineteenth century, since Scott is determined to live an eco-friendly lifestyle and has directed that all “modern convinces” (such as Internet, cell phones, TV, etc.) should not be part of the island life. Instead, he and his family and the one other family who lives on the island and work for the Newmans around their house, live a life devoid of most modern conveniences. While at the island, Lucy begins to wonder whether things are as tey appear or whether there is a small “fire” underneath it all. During her time on the island, Scott’s daughter is found dead by Lucy and other mishaps arise—making Lucy and probably everyone else there wonder how they ever got into the situation where they have become incommunicado with everyone beyond the island waiting for the weekly ferry run from Tinkers Cove and where paranoia begins to take hold. Lucy, per her nature, begins looking at life there, piecing together clues and events to try to figure out what exactly is going on, though not without herself becoming alarmed at what she sees, hears and finds.

As I said, this is a well done mystery, but not like the others in the series. I enjoyed is about as much as I have enjoyed most of the others, however. It is well written, and Lucy is portrayed just as she has been throughout the series. The other characters are also well done. The story held my interest from the start, perhaps because Lucy was her old self, though things were markedly different in this book. One thing I found hard to understand and/or accept was the way this guy was able to set up his residence on this island with no contact or means of contact with Tinkers Cove. I wondered if the powers to be would allow that, and whether the historical organization who would ultimately own the island after his death would allow that. It would see that this organization would want there to be some contact, even if tightly controlled. They did have a vested interest if it—even if they had to wait until his man’s death. Also, there was another family still living on the island, and I would think the powers to be might want them to have some form of emergency contact, for legal purposes if not other reasons. This is 2019, after all. Finally, this is a great book for anyone who enjoys Lucy Stone. Just be aware, before you read it that this is not the normal cozy the other books in the series are. I received this from NetGalley to read and review.

I've only read a few of the Lucy Stone mystery series by Leslie Meir. Invitation Only Murder intrigued me because it involves a billionaire's island that's been stripped of modern conveniences. After attending a party where the locals get a glimpse at what's been done to restore Holiday Island, Lucy is invited to spend some time there gathering information for an article. She jumps at the chance, not realizing until too late how isolated the place really is and how dangerous that would be if something went wrong. I enjoyed this one, especially the glimpse of how the family that's lived on the island for their entire lives deals with their lifestyle.

I received this book as an ARC from Netgallley.
I absolutely love this author and have read every single book she wrote. This book, while a good read was too easy to figure out the plot and was way past cozy. Harming and killing kids no matter the age isn't cozy and cussing isn't cozy. This book should be classified as a mystery if not suspense

Invitation Only Murder is the 26th in this series and does not disappoint. The characters are well developed and interesting. The storyline is entertaining and well written.

Visiting with Lucy and the folks in Tinkers Cove, Maine is always a treat. This new book did not disappoint.

This one is a quick read, with an interesting premise. A wealthy businessman buys an island and reforms it back to the 1800's. Everyone on the island must abide by his rules. When someone is murdered on the island, and mishaps occur, Lucy must find out who the culprit is and why.

This was a nice edition to the Lucy Stone series. It was a little different with the majority of the book not taking place in Tinker's Cove. It was a nice change of pace and I thoroughly enjoyed it. This has always been a favorite series and I can't wait to read more.

This is the 26th book in the Lucy Stone Mystery series, and the first I've read. I didn't do to badly following along since the story is set on a remote island a few miles off shore.

I liked Lucy and the others characters. I found them interesting and engaging. And the mystery was intriguing.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. My thoughts and opinions are my own and without bias or favor.

If I could choose just one cozy mystery author (oh the horror at the thought) I would hands down choose Leslie Meier. I just love her style of writing and her Lucy Stone mysteries. My first Lucy Stone was a random library pick "English Tea Murder." and I have never looked back since. Leslie Meier has a way of writing that is never gorey or too spooky but always keeps you on your toes and wondering what our favorite mother of four in Maine is up to. I love the family the author has created as well as Tinkers Cove. So much love for this book another smashing hit.

Reporter Lucy is intrigued by the millionaire who has purchased an island near her Maine home town, especially given that he has returned the island to its 19th century state with no technology. When she's invited to visit for July 4th, she learns more about him and his family, as well as the other people living on the island. A tragedy causes them all to mistrust one another and for Lucy to doubt the motives of the owner. With no way to contact the outside world, they try to figure out what happened. While the concept of an island isolated from the rest of the world is unique, the characters seemed a bit underdeveloped. Some of the content (e.g., Lucy's own family issues) seems extraneous to the main story line (and don't add much depth to the novel).

Invitation Only Murder by Leslie Meier is the 26th A Lucy Stone Mystery. I have read every single A Lucy Stone Mystery and it has always been one of my favorite series. I like Leslie Meier’s conversational writing style which makes every story a pleasure to read. I have watched Lucy go from working a part-time job as a customer service rep at night while taking care of her four kids during the day to reporter at the Pennysaver with only two college aged kids at home. She has solved over two dozen mysteries, but this one is by far the most dangerous. After finding Parker Newman dead at the bottom of a seaside cliff, Lucy becomes stuck on an island with a killer. There is no way for them to contact the outside world once the island’s boat were discovered missing. Scott Newman purchased Fletcher’s Island and is only using technology available in the early 1900s (no cell phones, televisions, motorized boats, electricity). The story moved along at a steady pace as Lucy helps out in the kitchen, explores the island, spends time with Scott Newman’s twin boys, and attempts to narrow down the suspects. Most readers will have no problem identifying the culprit before the reveal. I kept hoping for a twist to surprise me. Lucy came across as judgmental in Invitation Only Murder. I can certainly understand her views considering the island residents, but it was unlike Lucy. I also did not understand the attitude of some of the island’s residents. If I was on an isolated island with a killer, I would do whatever it took to get help. I did enjoy the foggy atmosphere of the island which made it feel spooky (great atmosphere for a mystery). Invitation Only Murder was disappointing to me. It felt different from the other books in this series. I missed Tinker’s Cove and its residents. The story lacked that cozy feel that I love in the Lucy Stone mysteries. It was interesting to learn about Puffins which nested on the island. If you have not read any of the other book in A Lucy Stone Mystery series, I do not suggest starting with Invitation Only Murder. I do, though, highly recommend reading this charming cozy mystery series with the intrepid Lucy Stone. Invitation Only Murder has impish twins, frightening fog, sniping sisters, a crazy killer and absence of contemporary conveniences.

It was really interesting to envision the backdrop of settings with no modern conveniences and think how people actually lived earlier. It makes us thank so many little things we take for granted. The way Lucy kept up her investigation of the murder/disappearance continued to keep up the intrigue level and engage the reader till the end.

Nothing is as it appears to be works perfectly in this case. Looking forward to more. This is the kind you should head along without looking into too many reviews as I totally liked the description of the whole island. The island is the key character for this one. This was my first in this series so I can say it can be read as standalone too but perfect for those who already follow Lucy.

This is the 26th Lucy Stone Mystery by cozy author Leslie Meier. I have read most of the series and enjoy this series always with a fun sleuth, great charcters and fun settings that are pleasing to read. Thank you to the publisher and to Net Galley for the opportunity.
My review opinions are my own.

In this next in series our beloved protagonist and reporter Lucy Stone has enough tension in her life to send her happily accepting a invitation to a unique vacation on a private island in Maine.. The island is owned by a billionaire who has made the island Eco friendly and does not have modern conveniences. Many of the arriving guests did not know this and are not happy when they arrive.

As tensions rise on the island among the guests one of the owner's daughters is found murdered. At the same time the radio's and all contact with shore is cut off suspiciously. Now Lucy must solve this mystery to jump in to give the owner peace in his daughter's passing as well as save herself and the other guest.

Another fun book in the series with all our favorite charcters. Well done to the author.

Invitation Only Murder is not another cozy murder mystery by Leslie Meier. Instead its filled with adventure, mishaps, thrills, and chills. This isn’t a book your read sitting under the throw from your couch with a cup of hot coco this is a hide under your comforter with a flashlight and hope you don’t hear any weird noises. Ms. Meier keeps you captivated in the tale where our journalist come detective, Lucy Stone, is invited to an island that has been purposefully kept in the 19th century. She’s there to write a piece about the owner and his family, instead a murder takes place and Lucy is trapped with a killer until the ferry arrives. The problem is everyone seems crazy and capable of murder. I wasn’t sure till the end whodunit. The description of the imagery from inside the refurbished old house to the cliffs with the puffins is perfect. You’re right there with Lucy trying to see through the fog while running away through the woods. Ms. Meier has written another spellbinding tale of murder.

I enjoyed this book, although it was a bit darker than usual. The setting made me pause and think about what life really must have been like back in earlier times. I think this book would make a good book club selection.

Great cover. Intriguing tale. A billionaire could have all the latest gadgets, but wants for his family to live off the grid. A wood stove? No thank you. Puffins and a hawk are exciting additions to the story. Our intrepid reporter gets more of a story than anticipated. Thanks to the publisher for providing a copy via NetGalley.

Lucy sure had no idea what she was getting into when she volunteered to visit and do a story about a remote island off Tinker's Cove that was owned by Scott, an eccentric billionaire with paranoia issues. He didn't believe in any modern conveniences aside from hot water and limited electricity..and he thought everyone was out to get him because he was so rich. When Lucy stumbled onto the dead body of one of Scott's daughters followed shortly by a mysterious disappearance, she must have felt like she was in the middle of And Then There Were None. I know that I would have thought that! I'm pretty sure that I would have holed up in my room. The whole story had kind of an eerie feeling about that did remind me of reading an Agatha Christie set on an island.

Determined to get to the bottom of the murder and disappearance that she felt sure were connected, Lucy ended up injured, partly by the perp who got away into the woods. There was eventually quite the showdown, since the perp knew that Scott kept a private arsenal of weapons at his disposal. It was survival of the fittest toward the end which definitely kept me on the edge of my chair!

The whole book had more of a suspense feeling and compelled me to keep reading. I liked the twin 8-year-old boys. They weren't really brats but very smart for their age, and their love of books came in handy for them. If I had been Lucy, I'd have probably kissed the ground when I stepped off the boat and back to Tinker's Cove! This was a little different than the usual Lucy Stones that I've read, but it was a good kind of different and I really enjoyed her adventure on the island..

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

I like this series! The characters have grown so much since the first books. Lucy is a great main character and tells the story well. I look forward to the next one.

A private island owned by a millionaire is opening its doors for a welcome party for the mainland village. Lucy and her husband are invited too. Further as a reporter, she is invited to interview Mr. Newman on the island spending a few days with the family to get his ideas and views how he has discarded all modern appliances including telecommunication facilities and even cooking facilities wanting to live off the grid as it were.

Lucy approaches the break from her usual routine happily. There is much tension at home with her daughters and especially one of them has a new boyfriend who is anything but acceptable. Lucy feels the break will do all of them good.

The discovery of a teenager's body on the second day of her stay - the twin daughter of the owner is unexpected and when it is confirmed that it is not an accident but murder it becomes even worse. There are only two families on the island. The caretakers who have been there for generations and the only people who refused to leave the island and now the present owner.

When Scott Newman becomes more irrational, more drunk and not quite in his senses, his wife seems to be also losing control of reality. With two twin boys to look after and neglected by their mother who seems to be living in a world of her own,it is upto Lucy and the remaining older sister to be caretaking the two kids. When they disappear too, it is too much to be a coincidence and you need to try to reach the mainland in one way or the other. Waiting for the weekly steamer to come is far too long a wait with a family living on the edge.

The story was long, but the island was very well described. The characters were peculiar, but they added substance to a very odd dysfunctional family.