What a delightful experience!

I haven't read a murder mystery in many years - this was a great way to jump back in! A Call for Kelp is charming, has a lovely setting, and relatable characters.

I was pleasantly surprised how quickly I found myself connecting with the cast. This is book #4 in this series but the first I have read. I will absolutely be going back and reading the first three after this. Bree Baker did a great job of making this enjoyable even if you have not read the rest of the series.

If you are looking for a quick, light hearted, easy to read mystery check this out! Thanks to Poisoned Pen Press and Net Galley for my ARC copy to read and review!

Famous actress, Mitzi Calgon, is in town to help raise awareness for Everly Swan’s aunts’ upcoming documentary on bees. The town is full of excitement and swarming with superfans but when the curtain is pulled back it reveals a murdered celebrity. Desperate to find out what happened to her late grandmother’s best friend, Everly is pulled into the action and won’t stop sleuthing until she discovers the culprit.

A Call for Kelp is a fun cozy mystery that is part of the Seaside Cafe Mystery series. It is well written and has fun characters that you can’t help but root for. Everly had a list of suspects that she alternated between as prime suspect and I never guessed who the actual killer was. Looking back I’m not sure their were many clues pointing in that person’s direction and their motivations were a bit weak in the end but overall it was still an enjoyable read and I would read more in this series for sure.

Thank you to Netgalley and Poisoned Pen Press for and eARC of this title.

While there are elements of this that strain credulity, even within the realm of cozies that I typically give a lot of grace to (this one contains the most loose-lipped CIA agent and his family ever), this series continues to entertain. I enjoy the descriptions of small town Charm and its ever changing roster of tourists and visitors. Everly, the protagonist of this series is as charming as her town, and her creative recipes and warm heart really drive this series and make it worth continuing.

This series is always a lot of fun to read as it's engrossing and entertaining.
It was great to meet again the well thought cast of characters, travel to the lovely location and be involved by the solid mystery.
It was an excellent and fun read, highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

Are you wanting to take a trip to the Outer Banks but are unable? Pick up the newest Seaside Cafe Mystery while you soak up some sun at home. Be sure to check out the recipes at the back so you have something to much on while lounge chair detecting. Bee sure to pay attention to all the clues, for example, how is that Denise seems to pop up right when Everly needs a friendly face. Of course, Everly isn't the only one who needs some cheering up after Hollywood star Mitzi turns up dead while beeing the bee documentary narrator for the Aunts. Turns out Mitzi knew Everly's Grandma back in the day and was ready to share all sorts of wonderful stories, prompting Everly to do her best to help Detective Grady Hays. Not that Everly needs to bee sweet talked into helping anyone in the Hays' household for that matter. Although it does seem like they are always at the ready to help her, sometimes even in dire situations when she should bee careful. There is so much charm to both the people and the town of Charm, they are absolutely the bee's knees. So how could anyone think that Mr. Butter, local artist and father to Everly's best friend Amelia, have anything to do with Mitzi's death? So many suspects, from a Canary, to former family, not to mention the folks with the documentary. Ray the reporter adds a nice touch of sarcastic satire and Wyatt continues to show us that people can change and grow and maybe even have their wild mustang heart tamed, by the right filly. As usual, you do not need to be familiar with the characters or the past three stories to bee able to follow along with A Call for Kelp, but you will want to because each and every story is a honey of a tale.

Everly Swan runs the Sun, Surf and Tea shop in the seaside town of Charm, located on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Her great-aunts Fran and Clara are beekeepers and shop owners. Hollywood icon Mitzi Calgon is in town and has agreed to do the voice work for a honeybee documentary. Everly meets Mitzi at a welcome luncheon where she learns about some unknown letters written by her late grandmother Hazel. But before Everly can learn more about her family's secrets, Mitzi is found dead in a bee box.

Everly wants answers but Detective Grady Hays is worried about her amateur sleuthing. Despite getting warnings to stop snooping, Everly is determined to help solve Mitzi's murder and learn more about Hazel's mysterious past in Hollywood.

This was another enjoyably, charming read in the Seaside Cafe mystery series.

I received an eARC from Netgalley and SOURCEBOOKS with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book and provided this review.

I was provided an e-copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. I'll admit that when I saw the first book ln the series the synopsis didn't impress me, but that didn't stop me from downloading a sample from Amazon just in case. I enjoyed the sample and wanted to read the rest of the book.

Mitzi Calgon, the actress who is lending her voice to Clara and Fran's documentary, knew Everly's grandmother when she lived in Hollywood and the two remained friends until the grandmother's. That was something that Everly didn't know. Before the actress can tell Everly about her grandmother's life in Hollywood and the identity of Everly's grandfather, Mitzi is found dead apparently the victim of the bees she was trying to help. Everly tries not to get involved when Mitzi's death becomes a homicide investigation. It wouldn't be much of a story if she didn't.

The mystery was very well-plotted and written. Love the location and the cast of characters. One scene with Denver shows how much Everly cares for those she loves. Looking forward to Closely Harbored Secrets.

In A Call for Kelp, the fourth installment in the series, Mitzi Calgon is in town to help with the production of her aunts' bee documentary. Everly learns that Mitzi, a Hollywood star, was close friends with her grandmother. Everly is thrilled to learn that Mitzi brought letters from her grandmother with her to Charm. She wants to learn more about her grandmother's mysterious stint in Hollywood. </p>

Unfortunately, Everly never gets the chance to learn more because Mitzi is found murdered and stuffed in a bee box before the filming of the documentary even commences. The prime suspect? Her best friend Amelia's dad, Mr. Butters. Everly has to help clear his name, much to handsome detective Grady's chagrin. He has enough to worry about now that his former mother-in-law has moved to Charm. He admonishes Everly on a regular basis to leave solving crimes to the cops. When Everly receives threatening texts and her new cooking website is hacked, the danger becomes real. Fortunately for the reader, Everly doesn't cower in a corner but rallies to solve the crime.

I read all four books this week. Although there are the standard cozy tropes--close friend or self is accused of murder, handsome detective on the case, amateur sleuth is threatened/stalked in each book--I found them a welcome respite from the weather and the quarantine. Everly is a smart, funny heroine and the recipes in each book are a great bonus. I love the concept of an iced tea shop on the beach and the family curse gives an extra twist to the usual romance element. Add in the ex-boyfriend cowboy reappearing to the mix, and you have progression with the characters and their relationships. With a fifth book scheduled to release in December, I'm hoping the author becomes a bit more adventurous and strays from the formula she has used for the first four books.

Working for saving Bees is a worthwhile environmental cause, but murdering is not an acceptable volunteer option! On tiny barrier island Charm, North Carolina, excitement and adulation turns to dismay when the star attraction of a Bee documentary is discovered deceased. But intrepid amateur sleuth and tea shop proprietor will find who killed her last link to her beloved late grandmother, or die trying.

Everly Swan's beekeeping great-aunts were involved in a documentary to save the American honeybee but on the first day of filming a chilling murder changed the focus to the death of someone famous. Detective Grady Hays, Everly's sort of boyfriend, is on the case but he has been acting strangely. Also, there is something fishy about Everly's new employee who also works for Grady.

I enjoyed every aspect of this story from how the relationships developed, the setting, the mysteries, and her annoying fitness bracelet. I am anxious for book #5 in the Seaside Cafe Mystery series to see how things progress with all the characters. Thanks to Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for an ARC. The opinions expressed are my own.

Just what I needed on a blustery, gloomy day or two. Book #4 in this delightful series set in the town of Charm, North Carolina. Everly Swan lives over the shop, on the beach - I'd love to trade places with her. Her home is a house with her iced tea shop downstairs. She is looking forward to learning more about her grandmother from a retired actress, Mitzi Calgon as they had been close friends. Mitzi has come to town to help Everly's great aunts, Clara and Fran, who are local beekeepers. They are making a documentary about saving the bees and Mitzi will narrate. What could be sinister about any of that? Well, before Everly has a chance to sit down and question Mitzi about her friendship with Everly's beloved grandmother, a killer strikes and the answers go with her to the grave.
Everly is drawn into investigating when there is a break-in and threats against her. With the help of her boyfriend, Detective Grady Hays, they track down the killer. Along the way there is time spent with her great aunts and other people in her life, each one very well developed. The mystery is solid and I never came close to guessing who dunnit. It was a very satisfying puzzle and a great get away. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series. I'm positive it won't disappoint me.
My thanks to the publisher, Poisoned Pen Press and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

Everly Swan and her aunts live in North Carolina. A celebrity friend of her grandmothers comes to town to be the voice on her aunts documentary about bees but is mysteriously murdered. Of course Everly and friends become invested in finding the killer. An enjoyable cozy mystery with delightful characters.

A sweet and sometimes exciting cozy mystery. A little romance. A lot of bees and teas. It may keep you guessing, as it did me. A cat. A delightful and charming (pun intended) place to visit or at least read about.

This is the fourth book in the seaside café mystery series. A celebrity, with ties to Everly's grandmother, comes to town to narrate a documentary about bees. Shortly after she arrives, the celebrity is murdered. Everly tries to stay out of the investigation but it's Everly so we knew that wasn't lasting. She has all of our favorite characters helping her. From her Aunts, to her ex, Wyatt, and reporter friend, Ryan, and best friend Amelia, they all have a hand in helping Solve the case. And let's not forget the very handsome Detective Grady Hays, who while trying to investigate is also trying to keep Everly safe. I have fallen in love with this series. Bree Baker knows how to write fun, realistic, and likeable characters. I always have a smile on my face after I've read one of her books. She has quickly become one of my favorite authors. These characters have become friends that I just want to read about continuously. Loved that there was more of Denise in this book. The Grady and Everly scenes put a smile on my face. Loved how well Ryan and Everly teamed up. The mystery was well done. I totally didn't see the who the killer was. Overall this was a fantastic cozy with characters I love, a setting in a place I would love to live in, and just the right amount of romance to make me smile. Definitely five stars. I received this book from net galley in exchange for an honest review.

I love taking a visit to Charm, North Carolina and catching up with Everly Swan. Her aunts are getting their bee documentary and have an old friend of Everly’s grandmother coming to be the voice. Mitzi was Everly’s grandmother’s friend and a famous pirate movie actress. The book starts with so much hope and joy that Everly is going to get to know a side of her grandmother she has never known, but then Mitzi is murdered and bees are involved.
Right off the bat Everly gets threatening texts. The story is well done. I never suspected the actual murderer.
We get to know more about Denise, Grady and the senator’s family. I love the rock throwing Everly does. Shh...that’s as far as I’ll go with a spoiler.
Everly nearly dies again. Her curiosity might really get her killed and that would be a great shame as it would end the series on a bad note. Threat of death for the main character has a tendency to knock a star off for me.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a digital ARC. I thoroughly enjoyed reading a Call for Kelp. Although, I still don’t know where kelp comes into it.

A Call for Kelp is the 4th installment of the Seaside Cafe series by Bree Baker (aka Julie Anne Lindsey) and like the first three, it's a great book you won't want to miss!

In this story, a Hollywood actress, Mitzi Calgon, comes to town to narrate a documentary about Honey Bees - of course, with the help of Everly's aunts. The actress used to be good friends with Everly's grandmother, about whom she still has many questions. Before they can enjoy a planned conversation about her grandmother, Mitzi is found dead right at the time she is to be introduced to the public. Heartbroken at the lost connection to her family, Everly does her best to not get involved with the case this time around, but things never really go as planned in that regard.

Naturally everyone joins in the pursuit which brings in our well-loved characters including her best friend, Amelia, her aunts and Detective Grady Hays. A wonderfully-written story, it had me guessing until the very end whodunnit! I totally guessed correctly (but had no way to back up what was more of a hunch than anything). The ending was a bit scary, but well done.

I really enjoyed the side arcs in the story especially with Denise, who has started helping at the tea shop when Denver is at school. It's also great to finally learn more about Grady's in-laws who both make an appearance. There's a particularly fun scene between Everly and his in-laws in this book that I know readers will enjoy.

All in all a terrific, well-written book by someone who is quickly turning into one of my favorite authors because she writes realistic characters and has a bit more of an intense take on cozy mysteries. Pick this up - you won't be disappointed!

Read as an ARC via NetGalley on my Kindle App. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this prior to publication in exchange for an honest review.

Another installment about Everly Swan. This is book four. Everly's great aunt's are winners of bee making documentary. Old time Hollywood actress Mitzi, comes to town at bequest of Everly's aunt's. Mitzi was Everly's grandmother's friend.
It was enjoyable to see all of the town's quirky and fun town's people.
Maybe, you can have a nice cuppa tea while reading latest cozy.

north-carolina, cozy-mystery, law-enforcement, amateur-sleuth, family-dynamics, friendship, romance, murder-investigation, small-town, small-business

Death by bees, no kelp in sight. Obnoxious journalist, creepy fan, cozy tea and lunch shop, and more of the story dedicated to shop owner/sleuth's problematic relationship with the local police detective than to sleuthing. If this is what you're looking for, you'll love it!
I requested and received a free ebook copy from Poisoned Pen Press via NetGalley.

4.5 Stars

This is the fourth book in the Seaside Cafe series by Bree Baker.

The premise: A Hollywood actress, Mitzi Calgon, who is a friend of Everly’s great aunts, is killed. The woman is in town to save the American Honey Bee and it appears on the surface that it was the bee population that killed her.

Everly owns a tea shop where she makes many speciality teas from scratch daily plus a few foodie items. She has started a blog and it has been successful for her. Recently she has been doing video tutorials which has brought more traffic to her site.

The relationship between Everley and Detective Grady has a been a bit on the tentative side and they really don’t know where they stand after their last kiss under the mistletoe at Christmas. I do like these two together and wish more interaction between the two in the future.

The characters in this are really likable and I enjoyed getting to know them as the book went on. The mystery was just so spot on and that little app thingie her friend gave her to vlog her cooking for her YouTube channel was a great tool that had me on the edge of my seat when it came to the forefront of the mystery at the end of the book. What a great gimmick!

I really love this series and it just keeps getting better. The characters are charming and friendly plus the plot is complex enough that it keeps you guessing until the end. This book really gives the reader a great sense of community that I really like. Definite kudos!

If you want to read a good cozy mystery, definitely check this one out. You won’t be disappointed.

I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in return for an honest review. I thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title.

A Call for Kelp is another fun installment in Bree Baker's Seaside Cafe Mystery series. This installment includes a beekeeping documentary gone wrong, the death of an actress, mystery of Detective Hays' in laws and of course the mystery of why he's been so distant. As usual the supporting cast is delightful and the setting is picturesque for sure. I would love to visit the fictional small island of Charm, NC and share a flavored tea with all of it's characters.

Once again I love the descriptions of the beachy town of Charm. The characters are so fun and well rounded and the small town feel is alive in all of these stories. My review will be on Goodreads shortly and on Amazon on release date. Thanks to the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this!