This is a cozy mystery novel in the Seaside Cafe Mystery series. It is book five that follows the same protagonists as previous books. Delightful read in this genre that I read "for real" this year. As a matter of fact, this author was my first foray into the cozies. I enjoy her writing style whether it is as Bree Baker or as Julie Anne Lindsey.

In this one, we follow the same simple pattern of Everly stumbling on a murder scene and then discovering who the killer is. The setting of this book in a small town in Otter Banks is charming and picturesque. There are many interesting side characters throughout the series.

I was a little put off by yet another "love triangle". I wanted Everly and Grady to finally move somewhere in their relationship. These two seem to go one step forward two steps back.

I would recommend this series to all readers of the genre.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to @poisonedpenpress for the advanced copy of the newest in the Seaside Cafe Mystery series, Closely Harbored Secrets by Bree Baker. Everly Swan owns an adorable seaside cafe is Charm, North Carolina. During the town’s annual historic haunts walk, Everly stumbles upon a dead body. While Everly starts off as a suspect, things quickly turn away from her when someone begins leaving her menacing threats. As Everly tries to figure out why the killer believes she has something they want, her friend and potential love interest, Detective Hays rushes to solve the mystery before Everly gets hurt. This is my first of this cozy mystery series, but I enjoyed the characters and look forward to checking out more in this fun series!

This is the 5th book in the charming "Seaside Cafe" mystery series by cozy author Bree Baker. This is one of my favorite cozy series to return to . Thank you to the publisher and to Net Galley. My review opinion is my own.

This fun next in series has a Halloween theme. Everly is happily running her Ice Tea Cafe and planning for the towns festive Halloween events. In their small town of Charm North Carolina on the Outer Banks, one of the most popular events is a creepy Halloween Haunted Historic Walking Tour complete with actors. Everly is helping her Aunt put on the tour when a body is found who scratched Everly's name next to her before she died. Now Everly is in the middle of another murder and may be suspect number one. She is also being stalked by someone creepy who is harassing her and leaving clues around town. With all this on her plate she is deciding if she wants to continue a relationship with her police detective boyfriend when she cannot seem to stay out of trouble.

I did not figure out this sleuth that kept me guessing to conclusion. I loved the key charcters that are all likable and fun. This was a perfect Halloween theme read and a great addition to this wonderful cozy series. This is a do not miss read .

This Halloween-centered book comes out right after Christmas, so for those of you looking for a change in season, it’ll be a good fit. A woman is murdered on a historical walking tour. Everly didn’t know her but the woman had a beef with the Swans that was part of a long-running family quarrel, and Everly learns more about her family’s history.
We’ve reached the book in the series where the heroine and her love interest are parted for no reason other than drama and to draw out the will-they-or-won’t-they. That was disappointing; it would be refreshing if editors pushed away from this in cozies.
Nice balance of history and the tension of the mayoral election alongside in this enterprising mystery.

Bree Baker’s Closely Harbored Secrets is an entertaining and spooky cosy. This is the fifth entry in the Seaside Café Mystery series but it works as a standalone. I love the picturesque setting, the eerie atmosphere, and the interesting mystery. However, the writing can be distractingly choppy and the characters are sometimes inconsistent.

It’s almost Halloween in Charm and our protagonist Everly Swan has stumbled into another mystery! While helping her aunts with their annual haunted historic walking tour, Everly discovers the body of Dixie Wetherill. She was the actress portraying one of the island’s most popular legends. Everly becomes a key suspect because Dixie scratched Everly’s name into the ground before she died. Everly’s plate is already overflowing as she’s helping her aunt with the local mayoral elections, running her iced tea-shop, and figuring out her complicated relationship with her crush Detective Grady Hays. However, things turn deadly when a ghostly sailor from local legends begins leaving threatening messages for Everly…

The well-paced plot is interesting with great suspense and viable suspects. I love the spooky atmosphere and the role that the supernatural played! Charm’s history is fascinating and well-written. I like that I couldn’t guess the killer’s identity until nearly the end. The killer’s motives made sense and were well-thought out. There are a few subplots but they are nicely done and fit well. I especially liked reading about Everly’s beloved Aunt Fran’s run for Mayor.

This is a great cast of interesting, memorable, and realistic characters. I love the warm feelings of family, friendship, and community. Everly is a relatable protagonist as she struggles with her annoying fitness bracelet, whips up delicious confections, and snoops! I love Everly’s fun Aunts Fran and Clara. There is a lot of romantic drama but it nicely complements the main plot. I like Matt, the sweet and hunky paramedic who catches Everly’s eye. However, I’m no longer a fan of Everly’s relationship with brooding Grady. I am tired of the will they or won’t they between them. It’s time that they become a couple or Everly moves on. Moreover, the characters, especially Everly and Grady, sometimes act inconsistently. Grady is also a bit flat in this book.

I love the wonderfully written description of Charm and small-island life as well the yummy food and fun Fall festivities. However, the book really could have used some editing as the transitions are sometimes distractingly choppy, abrupt, and a bit confusing.

Closely Harbored Secrets is a great cosy Halloween read. Although I wish the characters and writing were a little stronger, I enjoyed this fun and spooky book.


🎃🎃🎃🎃 out of 5 jack o’ lanterns!

This is the fifth book in Bree Baker’s Seaside Cafe series. I have read and adored the whole series, and was thrilled to get a sneak peek via Net Galley! You could read this as a standalone, however I feel it is much more charming read as a continuum.
The island of Charm, NC is full of bright, likable characters. Bree Baker does a wonderful job of writing true to life interactions and relationships. I love the affection and warmth amongst Everly and her friends and aunts, as well as the classy way she handles the less-likable residents. I’d step into her shoes instantly, if it weren’t for her habit of regularly finding dead bodies!
This installment is set around Halloween. Yep, another dead body to investigate. Another reason to spend more time with Detective Grady. Or not? Never fear, It all ends well, and I was particularly satisfied with the resolution.
Generally, by book five in a series I become bored. Instead,, I can’t wait to read number six! Bree Baker has several pen names, and I have devoured them all recently because I love her creative storylines and character development. I heartily recommend her regularly to anyone who loves a cozy mystery!
Romance and language warnings: None! Some butterflies in the stomach over a good and deserving man, but an absolutely clean read for anyone who has concerns.

I think this is my favorite in this fun cozy mystery series set on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. It is filled with small-town island life and history, ghosts, family and friends, and of course - a killer. I enjoy getting to know Everly and her friends more with each installment. As with most series, you would definitely understand the relationships and references more by reading them in order, but this would still work well without having read the others. I look forward to reading what they are up to next! Thanks to Netgalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the advance digital copy.

Everly Swan is participating in Charm's annual ghost walk when she finds one of the people playing a ghost injured and dying.
The mystery is a mix of buried treasure, missing maps and books and ghosts. I thoroughly enjoyed the story and was just a little surprised by the culprit.
Everly again comes into big danger as the story reaches its climax.
There are some personal relationship dramas that play out.
As with many of the cozy mystery series, you will be most drawn in to the story if you have read the series in order. This ramps up your personal involvement with the characters and helps their stories make more sense.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to review a pre-release copy of the book.

'Tis the season to be... spooked by long-lost sailors in search of their treasure! While it is the season for cookies, gifts and all things Christmas, I will never turn down a good Halloween-themed cozy mystery, no matter what season it is!

I was delighted to pick up the newest offering from Bree Baker. She is taking Everly and her family and friends in Charm, on a spooky ghost walk. However, not everyone is going to make it out alive! One of the actresses turns up dead, and the dead woman has drawn Everly's name right next to her, prior to her death! Naturally Everly can't help but join the investigation and find out who the killer is!

Oh how I love this series! This is the absolute perfect example of a super-fantastic cozy mystery series. There are toe-curling moments, not just between Everly and Detective Grady, but also from the warmth that surrounds Everly in the form of her family. Of course by family I mean her Great-Aunts, Fran and Clara, and also her extended friends-family in Charm. There is such a wonderful community feel, and I always feel like I'm not just checking in Everly, but with everyone else as well!

The mystery surrounds "buried treasure" and it was top notch! I love how the author has intertwined the history of Everly's house with the current mystery. Charm is like an onion - every book reveals more layers! With each layer being better than the previous one!

I simply cannot get enough of this series or say enough good things about it! Closely Harbored Secrets is the best in the series (so far!). It's a heart-warming, thrilling adventure, and it leaves readers guessing right until the end!

Aunt Fran and Aunt Clara's annual ghost tour of Charm, North Carolina goes sideways when their niece Everly discovers a corpse. A corpse who wrote her name before dying. Geez. Everly, who runs the local tea shop and bakery isn't a suspect but her love interest, Detective Grady Hays is concerned because someone seems to be targeting her. A pirate ghost? A treasure map? A family feud of sorts? What was the dead woman to Everly? All questions, no spoilers from me. This installment sees movement , especially in Aunt Fran's life (she's running for mayor) as well as in the romance between Everly and Grady. Baker does a nice job with the characters as well as with the small town atmosphere. The mystery isn't too twisty (even though the ghost parts are a bit out there) but I didn't guess the solution. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. I'm looking forward to the next one.

Everly Swan has found a dead body. Again. She has a history of getting involved in murder cases in her small town of Charm. Everly just wants to sell tea and rum cake. Now she has a ghost pirate chasing her around town and leaving threats and sand everywhere. Unfortunately, Everly doesn't have what the ghost is looking for.

She is also dealing with her potential relationship with the handsome detective, Grady. Where does their relationship stand? Should she go out a date with another potential suitor?

This is the fifth book in the Seaside Cafe Mystery series by Bree Baker. I have been a fan since the very beginning. I devoured this book in less than a day. If you're a fan of family history, murder, pirates, and a little romance, this is the book for you.

Charm, North Carolina is exactly the kind of town I want to live in, except for the murder that is. It's Halloween in Charm and time for the annual Halloween festivities, including the haunted historic walking tour. But when the town discovers the victim's last act was scratching Everly's name in the ground, Everly becomes suspect number one. Everly is normally the owner of the local tea shop, but now she's got to do everything she can to clear her name and make sure the real killer is captured.

I do really wish the story didn't focus so much on Everly's weight or continuously call her "plus-size." There is nothing wrong with her weight or letting the reader know the MC's size but that added with the fact that she refers to herself in negative ways, as overweight, and is focused on "getting healthy" comes off as fatphobic and derogatory.

4/5 Stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for providing me with an e-arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you NetGalley, Bree Baker and Poisoned Pen Press for the ARC of Closely Harbored Secrets. This is my personal review.
Closely Harbored Secrets is the 5th book in the series Seaside Café Mystery series.
Everly is the owner of Sun, Sand and Tea shop and she is helping her Aunts with an annual Ghost walk event. During the event one of the participants is found dead by Everly. The murder is a must for her to help solve because again she is the one to find the body.
The book was a good addition to the series. The cozy mystery series is one to add to your books series to read.
I look forward to the next in this series.

This is another solid instalment in the Seaside Café mystery series. Everly is an engaging main character with lovely great-aunts and sweet friends. The romantic aspects advanced greatly in this book. The mystery was rather easy to solve early on but I still found the climax creepy and heart-racing. My only problem is that this is a Halloween offering coming out at the end of December. Easily solved: read in October! I will continue to read the books in this series.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book.

Closely Harbored Secrets is the fifth book in the Seaside Cafe series and I have read them all thus far. Sadly, I enjoyed this installment far less than the rest of the series.
I will try to give what bothers me without spoiling anything:
- I had a hard time 'getting into' the storyline, too much time spent developing the pirate treasure/haunting storyline and talking about food. It took me nearly a month to read this, the others I I through in a day or so.
- How often do we have to hear how 'plus size' Everly is? Last I checked someone wearing size 12 jeans does not make them plus size. If it was mentioned once, fine; but I felt hit over the head with Everly's near constant monologue about her body. It would be nice to see her with a little self confidence.
- I have been patiently waiting for something to click between Everly and Grady. I was left disappointed in how this relationship progressed. Grady had no charm this time around, and I found Everly's behavior rather childish.

I think the main problem is having built this quintessential little town, there is only so much Everly can do in this world before it feels forced and overplayed. Since I was truly enjoying this series, I will most likely still check out the next book. This review was a little all of the place but it has been a long week. Thanks to Net Galley and the author for my ARC.

Even though I didn't know that this was book 5 in a series, I honestly don't think it took anything away from knowing that backstories. Great cozy mystery set at Halloween. Thankful to NetGalley for providing me a copy to read.

A Seaside Cafe story is always a deliciously refreshing treat to read! The book contains interesting historical items and facts that are fun to read about. The main characters are appealing, and protagonist, Everly Swan, is still attracted to the handsome Homicide Detective Grady Hays. Everly seems to be a murder magnet, and in this fifth installment, an unpleasant family adversary who seeks rare maps in hopes of locating treasure, dramatically meets her Maker and Everly is an instant suspect. Rumors fly like the flag with a skull and crossbones that someone is copycatting a ghost pirate nicknamed ‘The Sandman’, who leaves scattered sand along with written warnings for Everly to back off investigating the latest crime scene.

I enjoyed all the lovely descriptions of the fall decor and seasonal touches the author sprinkled into the storyline. The story moves at a brisk clip, and humor is mingled throughout. When the killer is unmasked, I was surprised; however, it then made perfect sense. This is a fantastic story and a fantastic series that all cozy readers will love! The author also shares yummy recipes with her readers!

I reviewed a digital arc provided by NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press. Thank you. All opinions are my own.

CLOSELY HARBORED SECRETS, the fifth book in the Seaside Café Mystery series by Bree Baker, is a spooktacular addition to an entertaining series! While Halloween might be over, this new release brings plenty of atmosphere and captures the feel of the spooky season. Starting out with a haunted historic walking tour on the small island of Charm, the author weaves in local myths and legends. With stories of ghosts, pirates, and treasure interjected into a real life murder that Everly Swan is suspected of committing, the suspense provides chills and thrills. Everly is a wonderful protagonist and I love her charming Sun, Sand, and Tea shop and the way she interacts with tourists and townspeople alike. Her two elderly aunts make terrific supporting characters with their vivacious and witty banter, and their Blessed Bee shop showcases the family’s centuries-old love and preservation of the honey bee. Despite their age, they’ve expanded their horizons and I greatly enjoyed the subplot of Aunt Fran and her candidacy for the position of mayor.

Investigating the murder is Everly’s beau, Detective Grady. While he knows she’s innocent, there’s still the baffling evidence of why the victim scratched Everly’s name into the ground right before she died. As Grady investigates it soon becomes apparent that Everly is being targeted. Despite warnings, she gets involved in solving the case. Intertwined in the murder mystery are legends of Everly’s ancestor and how the woman died at the house she now owns, adding another layer of Halloween eeriness. I was captivated as this multi-layered story unfolded and with a heart-stopping reveal, left me wishing the next book in this delightful series was available for me to read already!

Everly makes all sorts of delectable treats for her café including unique and delicious iced teas. The author kindly includes several recipes, for food and drink alike, at the back of the book. They all sound scrumptious!

It had been awhile since I had read books in this series, so it was really fun to dive back in. I like the quirky characters. it was a well-plotted mystery.

I received this ARC via Netgalley and Poisoned Pen Press, in return for an honest review. While the fifth book in this series, it is easily read as a standalone. Charm, NC, is on the Outer Banks. Alive with tales of hauntings and ghosts, the town celebrates its history with an annual ghost walk fundraiser. As the owner of Sun, Sand and Tea, Everly Swan joins her aunts to support the worthy cause. When a ghost walk enactor is found murdered and with Everly’s name scrawled in the sand, things turn scary. Incidents that recall a long-dead pirate who may or may not be stalking Everly, the death by suicide of Everly’s ancestress and a full cast of possible suspects make this another wonderful entry in this series. This is such a fun series, and the author does a great job of keeping each story interesting, engaging and realistic in how and why Everly becomes involved in solving the crimes. Add this cozy to your read pile and you’ll be ready for rum cake!