A cozy little mystery in a pictureesque little town. What more can a girl ask for, really? Perhaps an ice latte to enjoy with this story ;)

I enjoyed this story with all the characters within. The main character was Liz McLuckie.

Liz McLukie lives in the town of Whitby. When a trawlerman named Daniel Holliday goes missing and is later found dead. The police think that Daniel had a accident but Liz looks into it a little deeper and find out that it was not.  What Liz finds out surprises her a lot and she doesn't know what to do.

This was a fun story to read. It had action, adventure and suspense throughout. There was a few giggles within. It was fun trying to solve what had happened. The ending was quite a surprise to me.

I received a complimentary copy via Netgalley. This is my honest unbiased opinions.

Our nosy parker, Liz McLuckie, has both hands full: she's helping Irwin redecorate Iris's cottage, she's trying to get back into the dating game, she's committed to taking care of Gryzna's twins... and as usual, she's trying to solve the crime of the moment on his own.
This time a local sailor fell overboard on the Stella Mae during a storm, but upon examining the body the coroner declares the death suspicious, reason enough for Liz to stick her nose into the case.
A clean and entertaining story, with an unexpected ending. But if the reader has read at least a couple of books in this series, he will notice that there are entire paragraphs that are repeated in each story. For this reason I give this book only 4 stars. Otherwise it would easily get the 5 stars it deserves. And if you read my review of Death at the Anchorage, you will have gotten my point: repetitions are boring!
I thank the author and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
The opinion I have expressed above is based solely on what I think and feel about this book.

Death on the Stella Mae is an appealing and well written cozy by Jan Durham and the 5th book in the Kipper Cottage mysteries. Released 3rd March 2023, it's 216 pages and is available in hardcover, paperback, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately. For Kindle Unlimited subscribers, this book is currently included in the KU subscription library to borrow and read for free. The other books in the series are also currently available on KU.

This is a very well constructed and engagingly written cozy(ish) mystery featuring amateur sleuth Liz, a retired nurse living in coastal north Yorkshire. She's dogged and often heedlessly stubborn investigating local misdeeds with her motley crew of friends and her bull terrier Nelson.

The returning characters have a shared history and, if read out of order, some spoilers for earlier developments should be expected. It does work well enough as a standalone however. Since the series is available (at the date of writing) on KU, it would make a good candidate for a binge or buddy read. It's not a fluffy cozy, and there are descriptions of violence and I found it quite melancholy reading in places.

Four stars. Good reading. The language is PG rated (a few damns, bloodies, and nothing worse). Although it's not derivative in any way, it reminded me a lot of Anne Cleeves, Elly Griffiths, and that general subgenre.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

This is one of the best cozy mystery series I discovered in the last years: well plotted, light but featuring a cast of well plotted and clever characters.
It always makes me wish I could travel to Whitby and I always enjoyed Nelson’s antics, he’s a sweet boy.
This is another solid mystery that mixes well the different elements, keeps you reading and guessing. There’s plenty of surprising twists and a satisfying solution.
Can’t wait to read the next story.
Many thanks to Inkubator for this arc, all opinions are mine.

This is my first dip into the Kipper Cottage series, and I'm going to have to go back and start at the beginning. I think it works reasonably well as a standalone, although there were moments I felt a little left out. The author definitely doesn't overexplain things, which will reward those reading the entire series.

Although this is a cozy in the sense of having an amateur sleuth in Liz McLuckie, it's definitely not of the sweet as pie variety. Illegal immigration, the hardships of making friends and fitting in in a new place, and troubled relationships (to say the least) cast shadows over any feelings of perkiness that a quaint English village might give you. And honestly, I was too caught up in the reading to highlight many passages to help guide my review--which is a good thing, I suppose!

The mystery plot works well, and while I'm not sure how I feel about Liz's decision at the end, I'm sure I'd like to read more in this series.

Didn't matter that I had not read Kipper Cottage 1 - 4; Ms. Durham does a nice job of exposition without unnecessary detail. I really enjoyed this read; Liz and her friends (except for Benedict? I don't get why she's attracted to him, maybe this IS something I'm missing from the other books?!) and Liz is snoopy in a good way. A morally ambiguous ending, which felt just right. Highly recommend!

P.S. Thanks to #netgalley for the ARC.

Can you keep a secret? What if murder is involved? Who makes that decision? Who makes that decision lightly?

Definitely not Liz McLuckie. Liz is one of those characters who both fascinate and frustrate me. Her dogged determination and ability to put diverse, often contrary clues together make her an excellent sleuth. Her ability to put on blinders and blunder ahead when everyone about her is screaming to be careful, however, have always driven me up the wall. Yet, I like her, even when she makes me roll my eyes. Actually, in all fairness, either Liz has mellowed a bit over the life of the series, hmm, maybe the new romantic connection, or I have. What can I say? I'm hooked.

This story had some interesting sub-stories, too. For instance, we learn about immigration in Britain, not to mention how well Liz is able to cope with energetic, playful children. We also see a vulnerable side of her as she realizes some personal things about her own heart. We also see her navigate some rough moments dealing with a woman she doesn't like and vice versa. Heck, even Nelson, her dog, growls anytime the woman is near.

But, wait, I've totally skipped over the murder. The horrible storm, winds and lightning at the start of the book set the mood. But, the police aren't even sure there was a murder, to be honest. Sadly, it isn't unheard of for trawler workers to be washed overboard in storms. Decks, slippery from the catch, can be deadly in rough seas and winds when everything is in erratic motion. Did someone kill Doc/Daniel and toss him overboard or was it a tragic accident? After all, he texted his wife he wasn't feeling well. Was he a good guy or a bad guy? Why would someone want him dead? What secrets are there to be uncovered? Who ... never mind. Enough teasers. Read the book.

Thanks #NetGalley and #InkubatorBooks for inviting me back to Whitby. Nice to see she's making progress on the renovations on the cottages.

A man disappears overboard from a fishing trip during a powerful storm. The day of his memorial service, his body washes up on shore and it may not have been accident. LIz is asked by her nemesis in town to investigate for the man was her nephew. However, Liz is busy with trying to finish repairs and renovations to cottages she rents and taking into two young boys whose mother is being detained to be deported, but reluctantly agrees. So begins a complicated journey with plenty of surprises twists.

The characters are well-developed and I love the sense of real community in this small village. Not everyone is pleasant--but where are they?--but that doesn't mean people don't really rally around each other and help each other. The happenings in LIz's life and the village are well-balanced so one doesn't feel sacrificed for the other. They tie in well together. I felt sure the mystery was going in one direction but was pleasantly surprised to find I was wrong.

An enjoyable read and I will be sure to look up more of this series. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in return for an honest opinion.

Death on the Stella Mae is the fifth book in the Kipper Cottage series and it is another great instalment in this cosy mystery series. It is an easy read, set in a wonderful location with great characters. I really enjoyed it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Inkubator Books for my ARC.

Liz McLuckie is now living again in Kipper Cottage and also in a relationship with Benedict. After a particularly severe storm, the fishing boat Stella Mae comes into port and reports that one of her crew has gone overboard and presumed drowned. But when the entire town is at the memorial, Daniel Holliday's body is washed ashore and maybe it wasn't an accident.
Liz was curious but wasn't getting involved, when her nemesis, Dora, comes to her for help. And so Liz is pulled into another mystery.
An intriguing cozy mystery set in familiar surroundings with all the quirky characters of the town and maybe a new love interest in the making.
Thank you NetGalley and Inkubator Books for this g-galley of "Death on the Stella Mae".

I was excited to get to read the next installment of Jan Durham's Whitby series! It's always a nice balance of a new mystery and hearing what the protagonist is up to with her relationships and projects. The other characters are also well rounded and it is fun to see what is happening with them and how they are reacting to the changes.

This mystery was a bit different than the others in the series, which was a nice change and a surprise as I had grown to expect a certain pattern so I thought I knew how things would turn out, but was totally wrong. This ending was a twist and it didn't feel too unrealistic or impossible for the reader to guess at or figure out a little bit (even though I didn't!).

Another fantastic addition to my favorite cozy mystery series. I have been following this series from the start and was eagerly waiting to catch up on the latest installment.

Things have finally begun to get better for Liz McLuckie. She had feelings for Ben but was heartbroken when Ben started dating the local vicar. They broke up in a couple of months and Liz wondered if she stood a chance. Death on the Stella Mae opens with Liz waking up to the sound of thunder. Ben is sleeping by her side.

The next morning, everything seems as normal as a coastal town can be after a storm. Liz sees the local trawler Stella Mae return from sea. There are a couple of police cars at the shore. Liz learns that Daniel 'Doc' Holliday went overboard during the storm. He was unwell and had said so in a message to his wife at midnight. Nobody knew when he went overboard.

At the funeral service, Liz sees a woman clad in dark clothes standing at the church door. Before Liz could question the woman, a local arrives saying Doc's body has washed ashore. There's evidence of foul play. Did someone on Stella Mae kill Doc?

As Liz starts to investigate, she learns the victim was a high-school bully. The local fishmonger's son is caught up in the mess - a silly rumor which Liz herself must have started. well, you cannot blame her - she saw the young lad with the victim's wife.

Things on the personal front aren't going smoothly either. Gryzna, an illegal immigrant who works at Tilly and Mags' cafe is taken into custody. Her twin sons are British Citizens by default so there's a question of who will look after them. Then there is Dora Spackle - Liz's frenemy. Turns out, the victim was related to Dora so Dora wonders if Liz could poke her nose where it doesn't belong and solve the case... if there is a case, that is.

From start to finish, this book kept me hooked. Totally engrossing and entertaining. Dora's 'ego' keeps her on the friendly/hostile side of Liz. The twins' antics makes Liz nervous and irritated at times. Then there is Ben who insists on spending more time with Liz - can't he see that she's overly busy at the moment? What with looking after the twins and solving the mystery, there's no time for romance!

The mystery behind the death on the trawler kept me guessing till the end. We have a surprising twist at the end - I didn't see it coming. Liz is at crossroads - she wants justice for the victim, yes. But at what cost? Thank god she makes a decision that serves good for everybody involved.

It's a Jan Durham novel so it goes without saying that storytelling is simply mind-blowing! Interesting twist in the side stories of one or two recurring characters. The twins were a hoot - troublesome at times, adorable otherwise.

If you love cozy mysteries, Kipper Cottage Series is a MUST READ!

This is the fifth installment of the Kipper Cottage mysteries, and like all the others is an excellent read.
As a frequent visitor to Whitby, in my minds eye I can imagine all the places Jan Durham describes, and she does a great job of bringing the seaside town, and it's varied characters to life.
Liz McClucky finds herself involved in murder, when the body of Daniel "Doc" Holliday is washed up on the beach.
It appears that he has fallen off local fishing boat the "Stella Mae", when out fishing with his crewmates, and at first it was thought accidental.
However, all is not as it seems, and Liz finds hereself investigating after discovering that Doc's body should not have washed up where it did if the "Stella Mae" was fishing where she was told it was at the time he went overboard.
The mystery deepens, and Liz, along with her dog Nelson, find themselves under threat from a local businesswoman who's husband is in prison. Will she have to leave Whitby?
A busy woman, Liz is also looking after her friend Gryzna's two troublesome sons, renovating another friend's cottage, running her holiday rental business and coping with her feelings for her new love interest, Benedict.
Altogether an enjoyable read, and I can't wait for the next installment in the series!

Another great book in this series.
The characters are great, truly enjoy them more each book. The plot has everything, mystery, suspense, some action, and some drama. Everything flows smoothly, and captivates from the start. I love the little side stories in this book, kept the story flowing, but added some depth. Great read.
I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Liz Mcluckie and all your favourite characters from Whitby are back in this fifth entry in the Kipper Cottage series. What seems to be an accidental death during a serious storm turns out to be a murder, and when Liz figures out who murdered Daniel Hol1liday, will she tell the police? At the same time she is looking after twins Eryk and Lukasz while their mother is detained to determine her immigration status, and Liz still seems unsure about her relationship with Benedict.

This is the fifth book in the Kipper Cottage series and once again, Liz McLuckie finds herself nosing around looking for answers after a suspicious death occurs in Whitby. A local fisherman is reported overboard and while his funeral is being held, his body washes up. Did he really go overboard or did someone help him? Something's fishy and Liz, along with her friends and Nelson, her bull terrier, start looking for answers. At the same time, others in Whitby are having their own problems and Liz herself is feeling unsure of herself in her new relationship.

This is a great series, which I thoroughly enjoy. It always puts a smile on my face to see a new Kipper Cottage mystery. I enjoy the mysteries, but also seeing how the characters develop and how their stories unfold in each new book. It's not necessary to have read the previous books in the series. If you haven't already given Kipper Cottage a try, you can jump right in here, but I can wholeheartedly recommend all the other books in the series as well as this one, so no need to stop with just this one,.

Liz McLuckie faces a difficult situation in Death on the Stella Mae, the fifth in the excellent Kipper Cottage series. While taking an early morning walk on the beach, Liz watches local fishing boat Stella Mae dock. Crew member Daniel Holliday is missing, washed overboard during a storm. However, when his body washes ashore, the coroner decides he was murdered first. He was hit over the head before he went into the water. Of course, the always curious (some would say nosy) Liz decides to investigate. Solving this case is not the problem. It’s what to do afterwards.

This series just keeps getting better. Liz is an independent woman with many friends in town who have all become familiar characters in these cozy mysteries. I love bull terrier Nelson, who is an excellent judge of character. And as always, the real star is the ancient town of Whitby itself. I’m looking forward to the next in the Kipper Cottage series. 5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley, Inkubator Books and Jen Durham for this ARC.

Good book but very short! This book had the usual, it had light suspense, intrigue, action, murder, mystery, A good who done it and a few crazy twists and turns! The storyline was interesting and flowed nicely! I would recommend reading this book as it was worth reading but I would make sure to note that it is a short story! Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for sharing this book with me!

Spring is on its way in the picturesque North Yorkshire town of Whitby, but high tides and easterly winds bring stormy weather. When trawlerman Daniel ‘Doc’ Holliday goes missing from his boat the Stella Mae, it looks like he was washed overboard. Until his body is washed ashore & the police think it could be murder. Widow Liz McLuckie is a self proclaimed nosy parker & soon has her hands full, renovating Iris’ cottage, looking after Gryzna’s two sons, and being in a new relationship with Benedict. However when Dora Spackle, of all people, asks for her help Liz can’t refuse.
The fifth outing for Liz & another well written, captivating read, I love Liz, yes she’s nosy but she's also caring, loving & very good at finding the truth. I also love the secondary characters who've appeared throughout the series Mags & Tilly, Benedict & Kevin, Niall, Iris & Gryzna the two tearaways. This is an interesting case as was Doc murdered or did he fall overboard, there are twists & turns along the way to the truth being found & I found myself engrossed & read it in two sittings. It could be read on its own but the author is building a lovely community of close friends so I’d recommend reading from the beginning, I look forward to more in the series as I always intrigued as to how Benedict & Liz’s relationship will develop
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read