I’ve been very fortunate to do a lot of traveling over the years and of all the places I’ve been, Maine was my favorite. The landscape is gorgeous, the views stunning, the activities in the summertime are a blast. Because of my love for Maine, cozies set in Maine are some of my absolute favorites. This book starts out with a comparatively innocent robbery, but the situation quickly escalates until a new friend of Julia's is found murdered. Of course Julia is on the case!

There are a lot of things that happen in this book apart from a mystery. Things develop between Julia and Chris, Julia is getting ramped up for opening the clambake for the summer, in addition to Julia meeting quite a few new people and learning more about the dark underbelly of the world of aquaculture and lobstering and fishing.

I love this series and I’m so glad that it’s lasted as long as it has. This book was a fun read and I can’t wait till the next one comes out!

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me an ARC.

I enjoy this series. Julia is a likeable person. The only thing that I question in this and most “cozy mysteries” is the fact the amateur sleuth has a day job but seems to have no problem just skipping out on work whenever they want to. The plot in this story was interesting and taught me a little bit about oyster farming. I sort of guessed who the murderer was but wasn’t quite sure until the end. Overall an enjoyable read.

3.5 stars! This was a fun, fast-paced mystery. I enjoyed the setting very much. This was my first time reading any of this series, and I will be going back and starting from the beginning. The characters had great connections, but I couldn’t get a clear picture of them—perhaps starting from book one would help me picture them better and feel more connected with them.

Brought to you by OBS reviewer Andra

As I return to Busman’s Harbor, Maine and the Snowden Family Clambake Company – I remember the joy I had when I read the “first to me” book in this series (I started at book 3 – Musseled Out) and the promise I made myself – I would read more in this series. And yet – I have let numerous books pass me by. Well, I have now read Shucked Apart – book 9 in the series by Barbara Ross in just a few days and am again reminded again why I really, really enjoy the writing of this author. I was able to slip right into the life of Julia Snowden and life in Maine.

Shucked Apart begins with Julia being introduced to Andie – a friend of her boyfriend Chris. An innocuous introduction, except that Andi is a member of Chris’ poker night buddies, which Julia assumed were all male buddies. The reader gets a sense of something off when Andie says “So glad to finally meet”. I know my “something is off” senses came to light with that. How can Julia not know any of Chris’ poker buddies after more than two years of dating? Regardless, we learn that Andi owns Great River Oysters – supplying many local eateries with oysters. Unfortunately, Julia and Andi are introduced as a result of an assault and robbery where Andi lost $35,000 worth of oyster seeds. With Julia’s known prowess at solving mysteries – Chris introduced the two women in the hopes that Julia can get to the bottom of the theft. Before progressing too far into the investigation, Andi turns up dead. So of course Julia is going to try and figure out what happened. The journey we are lead on is indeed full of twists and turns and does keep the reader wondering “whodunit”.

This mystery was a fun read, which kept me guessing. While there were a handful of viable suspects, at the half way mark – I thought I knew who the culprit was but much to my surprise – I was wrong and found out at the end. The mark of a good cozy mystery – keeps one guessing until the end.

One of the lines I found quite interesting, as well as funny was when Chris was talking to Julia and he said while helping themselves to a buffet full of deliciously described food:

“You have to get over this new thing you have about raw seafood.”

This is odd given the fact that she runs a clambake operation. Here is hoping future additions to this series shed some light on this.

This book contained not only an interesting mystery but the reader gets to meet more of Julia’s family. Additionally, we are invested in the journey of Julia’s personal life – which is not always smooth. And to me that makes it all the more relatable and endearing. I can’t wait to see what transpires next for Julia in this series.

If you are looking for a good read, enjoy cozy mysteries, scenic locations and lots of descriptions of delectable food – then might I suggest you pick up Shucked Apart by Barbara Ross and begin your reading journey.

Note: You can read this as a standalone.

When Andie Greatorex is robbed of two buckets of oyster seed worth $35,000, she is encouraged to ask Julia for help. Andie believes the motive for the theft is to put her out of business. Though she is unsure she can help, Julia agrees to spend a day or two looking into the theft.
The more Julia digs into the oyster farming community the more shocking information is revealed about the industry and Julia’s personal life. When Andie is found murdered the list of potential suspects is long. Julia is trying to prepare for the opening of her own business but feels obligated to help solve Andie’s murder.
I have read several of the books in this series out of order. Each could stand alone. The characters are well-developed and realistic. The setting for this book is peaceful, despite the crime problem. I recommend this book and I am finally going back to read the series from the beginning.

I have been reading this series since the beginning and I always enjoy the visit to Maine. Julia is getting ready for the summer when her boyfriend Chris asks her to help a friend. Andie, a local oyster farmer, has been a victim of a robbery. When Julia discovers her body she sets out solve the crime. I really like the setting and the characters. The mystery was OK. There were enough suspects but I did find it easy to solve. I do like it that she does work with the local police. It was a quick easy read.

I appreciate the publisher allowing me to read this book. I really enjoyed the characters and the mystery was interesting. Only complaint too short

This is one of my favorite series. This is another great book. It is so much fun getting back to Julia and her family. This was a fun read with a great mystery. I also learned a little bit about oyster farming.

Another great title in this East Coast series! I love the depth that this author brings to the landscape in her books, especially for those of us with fond East coast memories. And this time being set in another town and filling us in on some oyster growing knowledge really lends interest to a series I am thoroughly enjoying. I will be looking forward to the next in the series!

"I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review".

Shucked Apart (A Maine Clambake Mystery #9) by Barbara Ross is another interesting installment in the Clambake Series that is highly readable that anyone can enjoy and want, want to put down.
Jill Snowden is asked by a local oyster farmer to help figure out who stole 35,000 dollars worth of oyster seed, and then there is a murder and it's up to Jill to figure out who the killer is before it's too late.

I have read bits and pieces of this series and have enjoyed every book. I should slap myself for not reading this series in its entirety.

This was a little different than the ones I’ve previously read as it takes place more in the neighboring town than on the clambake island. I enjoyed learning about oysters and how they start out and grow.

I cried at the ending. My heart hurts for Julia.

Recipes are included such as Banana Bread, Oyster Stuffing, and Baked Oysters.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions expressed above are entirely my own.

This book took us away from the typical setting of the clam bake for a different scene of the Damariscotta River and oyster farming. Julia tries to help an acquaintance who has had tens of thousands of dollars in oyster seed stolen from her. Upon deciding her inquiries are fruitless Julia discovers the body of her new found friend stabbed with an oyster knife in the river. With newfound resolve Julia dives in to investigate who would have the motive and opportunity to commit such a heinous murder.

I thoroughly enjoy the books in the Maine Clambake series. The characters are well developed and the mystery is intriguing. There are enough twists and turns to keep you invested in the story. Learning about oyster farming was interesting and the author provides good details without boring you. I was very sad at the way the book ended so I’ll definitely be back for the next book to learn how things progress. Can’t wait for the next adventure in Busman’s Harbor, Maine.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

I love this series and I enjoy finding out what is happening with all the characters. i found this mystery very interesting and intriguing. The was so many different suspects and twists that I was trying to figure out the killer all the way until the very end. This book should be on everyone's TBR pile.

This is the 9th book in the Maine Clambake Mystery series. Julia is back working at her family’s Snowden’s Family Clambake in Maine. She’s got a reputation for solving crimes, so when an oyster farmer friend named Annie tells her she’s had 2 buckets of oyster “seed” stolen, Julie wants to help. The buckets are worth $35K, and the loss could put her out of business.
There are suspects galore, but when Annie is murdered the situation gets much more serious. Can Julie catch her friend’s killer?

I enjoyed being back in Maine in this book, it’s a cute cozy with some quirky characters. Too bad I couldn’t get Maine lobster to eat while I read it!

4 stars. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Julia is hard at work getting ready for the opening of the Snowden Family Clambake. She is asked to help a local oyster farmer, Andie, who has been robbed. It turns out there is a great deal of contention between the oyster farmers and lobstermen. Julia has her hands full with trying to find employees, solving a mystery, and dealing with relationship problems. I enjoy this series, but this was not my favorite. I figured out the mystery early on. The back and forth on her love life plus the other social issue mixed in was a bit off putting for me. I do look forward to seeing where the series is going from here.

I have read all of the other Clambake books and have enjoyed them. But this book was different. I did enjoy learning about oyster farming, but other than that I was so bored. It just didn't hold my interest. The characters from the other books were barely in this one, with the exception of the state police investigators. It was fairly obvious to me who done it. In an additional storyline, we are afflicted with Julia's reaction to her longtime boyfriend's behavior. So, we are left hanging, as she seemingly makes a decision. I hope the next is better than this one.

Elizabeth Ross continues her Maine Clambake mysteries with Shucked Apart, ninth in the series. Andie Greatorix clam farmer is robbed of oyster seed worth $35,000 , gets a ransom note and then is murdered. Julia is investigating the theft and continues after the murder. Chris, Julia's boyfriend, is an old friend of Annie, but has not told Julia about her. Julia is evaluating her relationship with Chris, trying to staff up for the Maine summer season and help police with the murder. What could go wrong? Lots of suspects. Read and enjoy.

Shucked Apart by Barbara Ross is the 9th A Maine Clambake Mystery. It can be read as a standalone for those new to the series or may have missed a book or two. Reading the earlier books, though, will provide more background on Julia, her family, friends, and the business. It is May and the season has not begun yet in Busman’s Harbor, Maine. Julia Snowden is surprised when her boyfriend, Chris Durand brings his poker buddy, Andie Greatorex to visit her (where she learns Andie is a woman). Julia is told that Andie was attacked and robbed of the oyster larvae (spat) she had just purchased. Andie would like Julia to use her sleuthing skills to see if she can uncover the guilty party. This is a different type of case for Julia. She does have some extra time on her hands, so Julia agrees to do a little digging. Julia questions several people including Andie’s ex-partner (business and personal), a lobsterman, a rival oyster farmer, and a neighbor of Andie’s. Julia has barely begun her investigation when Andie is murdered. The mystery provides us with a couple of suspects, a red herring, and subtle clues. There was a nice surprise in this whodunit. It was nice to catch up with Julia before the busy season begins. We do see Chris, but the other regulars are largely absent (one or two only briefly mentioned). I must admit that I am not a fan of Chris’s. He is a nice man, but he does not seem like the right person for Julia. I could tell the author did her research on oyster farming. It was interesting learning how oysters are raised and harvested (not that I would ever eat one). I enjoyed the beautiful descriptions of Maine as well and I liked that we left Busman’s Harbor to visit nearby Damariscotta. We also learn about the rivalry between lobsterman and oyster farmers plus how residents feel about the oyster beds. I thought Shucked Apart was easy to read with a likeable main character. The pacing varied in this story. While Shucked Apart is not my favorite book in this series, I still enjoyed my visit. Shucked Apart is a charming tale with oyster offspring, rival lobsterman, employee problems, lease barriers, and sly sabotage.

Even if it's not my favorite in this beloved series I thoroughly enjoyed.
A good mystery, full of twists and turns, that kept me guessing.
Good character and plot development, a fascinating setting.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine