Member Reviews

This was a great cozy mystery that kept my interest and left me stumped. I was pleasantly surprised at the end. The main character, Mac, is a great character and her book group are sleuths that take justice seriously. I loved how they worked with each other and the police. It was a fun read and I recommend it. I received an advanced reader's copy from NetGalley. All reviews are my honest opinions.

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Lobstah Shack
A culinary cozy with an excellent storyline that captures your imagination and recipes that tempt your taste buds. Just imagine the nerve of someone to dump a body in the Lobstah Shack and cause all of that great seafood to have to be tossed, such a travesty! Any easy plot to get caught up in with some backstory to give character depth and new plot twists to keep the story moving forward. I also enjoyed not only the mystery and sleuthing skills of Mac, bike shop owner extraordinaire, but also the way the story takes notice of homelessness and possible ways that people can help with both time and/or money. There are also some very tasty recipes to try out such as the cranberry scones and the sob seafood salad, which are both on my to-do list for this weekend.

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I loved the first book in this series - absolutely loved it. The characters were fun and quirky, the MC was engaging and believable and then there was Belle, the African Parrot, who was so hilarious. It was one of the best cozy reads I had read in a long time. Then the second book happened and I was so disappointed. I won't rehash it here, but NO ONE should ever force someone into a decision they aren't comfortable with [especially when it concerns children] and no one should SHAME ANYONE for not having the same dreams as they do. Mac and Tim should have broken up then; clearly they are not on the same page.

I had hoped that this book would redeem what happened in book 2. My hopes were dashed and I was left disappointed and frustrated and I know that I will not be reading anymore in this series. There was just way too much that was wrong with this book.

1. The description of a character as someone with "Asian-looking eyes". Uh, really? Insensitive much? Especially with all that is going on around the Asian culture? This, to me, was extremely bad form and since it happens early on in the book, it left a bad taste in my mouth for the rest of the read.

2. The complete brush off of the Pandemic. It is mentioned in a laughing, "aren't we glad THAT is over" kind of way. Uh, way. too. soon. People are still dying, we are still in the grips of serious waves and that was tone-deaf at best and completely disrespectful of the 750,000+ people who have died at the hand of this Pandemic.

3. Mac's main concern being that she should start trying to get pregnant as that is the expected outcome of her getting married to Tim. Ummm....R E A L L Y?? So this is going to continue. What if she cannot get pregnant? Will Tim leave her? They are basing this marriage all on Tim's wants and needs and I can tell you right now, it. will. not. last. It is so disheartening to watch a really strong character succumb to shaming and pressure.

4. Mac all of the sudden disregarding her beloved grandmother - running after a murderer [which I need to remind everyone, is not her ACTUAL job] was way more important. Look, I like Mac [which is why the downhill slide of these books has been so acutely disappointing] and I empathize with her - she has a huge heart and just wants to help everyone. Plus she is a nosey parker and I get that too [being one myself]. BUT!!! she loves her family without reserve and her disregarding her grandmother, whom she loves more than life, is completely out of character and really grated on me.

5. The story itself. I knew the what in the first couple of chapters. I knew the who as soon as they were introduced and I knew the why almost at the same time. It really just felt like a lazy book to me and I was so frustrated by the whole story and the end and everything that was in between. WHERE are the glorious characters from the first book?? Sigh.

Overall, this was a huge disappointment to me and I really do not think I will be reading anymore, especially since it seems that Mac is going to give into pressure and shaming over getting married and having kids. It is so disrespectful and very tone-deaf [AGAIN] of marriage and kids and the fact that some people just don't want either and that shaming someone into one or both is horribly, horribly, wrong.

Thank you to NetGalley, Maddie Day, and Kensington Books for providing this ARC in exchange for a honest review.

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The third in the series. There were plenty of suspects, misdirections, and intrigue. Enjoyed every minute. The murder itself was an interesting reveal; I loved the twist presented.

This is well written and can be read as a standalone book. Tulia Peters call her neighbor retailer when she finds a body in her walk-in. This starts the book club and Mac’s investigation.

I was given an advanced copy from Netgalley and am not required to leave a positive review.

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Another delightful trip to Cape Cod. A clever cozy mystery. Love the African Grey pet instead of the usual cat or dog. Of course, I may be prejudiced since I have one. Entertaining talkers. I look forward to my next visit with the Cozy Capers Book Group.

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The newest installment in this series. It is a fun, easy read with a very predictable ending. I'm not sure if I will continue with the series

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Mac and the cozy capers book club are hard at work trying to figure out who left a body in the Lobstah snacks walk in. Lots of suspects, but who could have gotten into the locked business? This is the third book in the series and it doesn't disappoint. Well plotted with engaging characters.

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Murder at the Lobstah Shack is the 3rd book in the Cozy Capers Book Group mystery series. It would stand alone well.
Mac has a lot going on in her life - running her bike shop, volunteering with her dad’s church to provide food for the less fortunate in Westham, reading a weekly cozy mystery for her book group, walking with her friend Gin, helping out with her niece Cokey and spending time with her man Tim.
But she is always available to help a friend in need. Tulia from the Lobstah Shack calls one morning asking for help. There’s a body in her walk-in refrigerator.
This mystery has plenty of suspects. Lots of dirty laundry is revealed in the course of Mac’s investigation with her book group. This investigation wasn’t as organized as in previous books.
Mac is definitely growing on me as a character. I like her more with each book.
Her family ties stand out in this book as one of the best parts along with her growing relationship with Tim.
Mac really needs to get a phone - just saying.
I think you’ll enjoy visiting Cape Cod and figuring out who done it along with Mac.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to review this book.

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This is the third book in the series and can be read as a stand alone. I enjoy this series for its seashore setting, wonderful charcters and fascinating sleuthing. Thank you to the publisher and to Net Galley. My review opinion is my own.

Mac runs a busy bicycle shop in a small town on Cape Cod. The setting of this series is very atmospheric and fun. She is our protagnist and resident sleuth who has solved two previous murders. Mac is well liked and popular in their small coastal town. Mac is part of a book club called "Cozy Capers". When one of her fellow business owners finds a body in her walk in she is immediately a suspect and Mac works to clear her name.

I like the charcters and sleuth of this next in series. The sleuth is well crafted and surprising to conclusion. Mac is a savvy smart independent sleuth. I look forward to the next in series.

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Someone murdered Annette and left her body in the walk in at Tulia's restaurant but it wasn't Tulia. Mac, her friend, along with their book club, go out on a limb to find the real killer. Mac, who owns a bike shop, has a colorful family and an African grey parrot- Belle- who has a lot to say. My quibble, btw, is that there are a lot of characters between the family, the book club, and the suspects, Cozy readers know that there are a number of people who didn't like Annette; Day has done a nice job of incorporating the stresses in small town Cape Cod into the mix. It's a classic cozy (and there recipes) complete with an interesting relationship with Detective Lincoln. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. While it's the third in the series, should be fine as a standalone.

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Mac and the Cozy Capers Book Group come to Tulia's aid when a dead body is found in her restaurant's walk-in cooler. Please see my complete review at www.reviewingtheevidence.com.

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While I didn't love this one as much as the first two books in the series, it was a good read. However I don't think I'm going to be continuing this series. I love Maddie's writing and her other series, but this series just isn't for me.

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Thank you NetGalley, Maddie Day and Kensington Books for the ARC of Murder at the Lobstah Shack. This is my personal review.
The first thing that grabbed my attention was the title of the book. I love the title Murder at the Lobstah Shack.
Mac Almeida runs a bicycle shop in a small town on Cape Cod. One day she gets a frantic phone call that sets things in motion- the call is from a restaurant owner Tulia Peters. She found the body of Annette DiCicerok dead in the walk -in freezer at Tulia’s restaurant. Tulia is a suspect in the murder.
Mac and the members of the Cozy Capers Book know they must help clear Tulia’s name. They start digging into Annette’s background and they find that suspects are plentiful.
I enjoyed this book and the characters in it a lot.

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Mac is working in her store when she hears a scream. Then she gets a phone call from the store next door requesting she come over. In the freezer unit, there's dead woman on the floor...
Mac and her book group start asking questions. The death was not what it appeared to be.

Kensington Books and Net Galley let me read the this book for review (thank you). It will be published November 30th.

There are a lot of suspects. She wasn't the most popular woman in town. They work hard on determining who it would be the murderer. I didn't figure out who the killer was - it was a surprise to me.

It was an interesting tale with all kinds of sideline subjects that were entertaining.

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This is book 3 of the Cozy Capers Book Group Mystery series, but the first I have read! It's a fun little romp, that will have you craving seashores, lazy bike rides, drunken sunsets and amazing food! And yes, there's a charming little mystery too! Prior reading is not required, as the book is stand alone. mac and her group are charming, and you may find yourself caught up in Westham's charms and miss some subtle clues! perfect for a lazy Saturday read, you'll love this charmer!

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If I had to describe this cozy mystery in one word, the word would be solid. Solid setting, solid cast, solid plot. They sure do eat a lot of seafood in Westham, MA, but that does make sense since this town is part of Cape Cod.
Mac is a likable and savvy sleuth, she runs a bicycle shop and seems to find dead bodies on the side. The relationship between Mac and law enforcement is more plausible than many other books. Mac gives the sheriff tips and gossip and he doesn't tell her much about the case. Now, one might think well if I was up to no good in Westham, MA I would definitely steer clear of this Mac person--but that's a problem for another book.

The book deals with social issues that plague small and large towns alike, including mental illness, addiction, and people who are without housing. Maddie Day does an excellent job talking about these issues and humanizing the characters involved.

4 solid stars for Murder at the Lobstah Shack by Maddie Day!

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC in return for an honest review! #MurderattheLobstahShack #NetGalley

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Mac Almeida and her cozy caper book club members find themselves with another murder to solve in Maddie Days' Murder at the Lobstah Shack. One of the book club members, Talia Peters who owns the Lobstah Shack is a person of interest in the case since she found the victim in her freezer at the Lobstah Shack. I like how the club members stick together and share what what they learn as they work on solving the murder. I also like that they are aware enough to not put themselves in dangerous positions. This is a super addition to Ms. Day's Cozy Capers Book Group Mystery series.

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I haven't read either of the first two titles in the series, though I feel like this one stands alone pretty well. It's a decent read with a fairly satisfying resolution. I like the way Mac stands by her friend, and I think the characters are pretty likeable overall. My only problem, really, is that there's nothing very memorable or gripping about the story. Only a day or two after finishing it, it just kind of blends in with other recent reads. It's like a walk on a nice day--perfectly enjoyable, just nothing outstanding. I read cozy mysteries for light escape, but I did want just a bit more tension and some kind of wow factor...

Review copy provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

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Mac's bike shop is in Cape Cod, Massachusetts, and she is shocked when her neighbor and friend calls from the nearby Lobstah Shack in a panic to say that there's a dead woman in the walk in refrigerator. Her book group, which reads and discusses mystery novels, has apparently gotten involved in cases before, which the police seem to mostly accept, though not officially, of course. This is the third in a series, but I was able to read it as a stand alone. There are quite a few people in town that Mac suspects could be the murderer, and she really does not play it safe as everyone urges her to. My favorite character was Mac's talking parrot, Bella. Recipes are included. thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.

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We all need that group that we can hang with and be ourselves with. I think the Cozy Capers definitely have that covered. I love that it’s a group of both men and women. I enjoyed the storyline and the way the characters inner act with each other. I also like the helping of each other. I think that’s important in our daily lives. We never know when we might be the one needing help. I feel like the good folks of Westham would be there ready to help. I hope I get to hang out with these wonderful folks again soon. The are some delicious sounding recipes included too. I received this book from NetGalley, but my opinion is my own.

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