Thank you so much to NetGalley and Dreamscape media for my copy of Murder by the Seashore by Samara Yew Narrated by Catherine Ho in exchange for an honest review. It published October 17, 2023.
First off, the narration done by Catherine Ho was very well-done, and I look forward to more of her work! Secondly, I really enjoyed this book. As someone who has read dozens of cozy mysteries over the years, I found this one to totally scratch that itch. I've never read one set in Oceanside, CA, and I loved that as a setting. I had the opportunity to visit there years ago, and I felt like Samara Yew really made me feel like I was back there! I totally enjoyed the writing of this book and the pace, and I would totally recommend this if you're a cozy lover! Can't wait for more from this series!

I love a good murder mystery and this gave me Murder She Wrote vibes which I’m always looking for in book form. The narrator was really good as well made it easy to follow along

This cozy mystery was a bit hard for me to get pulled into, despite the action starting right away. A good read overall though. Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC

This is such a fun and well written series!! I love the setting of Oceanside, CA, and I love following Scarlett Gardner The mystery was so fun and well paced. I can't recommend this cozy series enough!

A fun, breezy mystery to read on a rainy day, curled up by the fire. Enjoyed it immensely

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Murder by the Seashore by Samara Yew, narrated by Catherine Ho, is a gripping mystery set against the picturesque backdrop of Southern California. Scarlett Gardner, the resilient protagonist, finds her dreams shattered when her boyfriend and business partner leaves her. Yet, when she stumbles upon a dead body under the pier by her struggling bookshop, the plot takes an unexpected turn.

Yew's storytelling is a thrilling blend of suspense and intrigue, and Catherine Ho's narration adds depth to the characters, making Scarlett's journey all the more compelling. The narrative unfolds with twists and turns, keeping readers on the edge of their seats as Scarlett becomes entangled in a web of mystery surrounding the deceased, Lorelai Knight.

As Scarlett grapples with the police investigation and the revelation that she stands to inherit a fortune from Lorelai, the novel takes an exhilarating turn. The author skillfully weaves a narrative that keeps readers guessing until the finale, with Scarlett racing against time to clear her name and outsmart the elusive Bookshop Killer.

Murder by the Seashore is not just a whodunit; it's a tale of resilience and ingenuity as Scarlett fights to stay one step ahead. Yew's vivid descriptions of the coastal setting and Ho's evocative narration create an immersive experience that enhances the overall enjoyment of this enthralling mystery. If you're a fan of gripping suspense with a touch of intrigue, Murder by the Seashore is a must-read that will keep you guessing until the final page.

Thank you to Dreamscape Media for the advanced audiobook copy to review via NetGalley!

It took me a while to get into this one and the author writing style but eventually I did and the story flew better

Murder by the Seashore by Samara Yew is a cute cozy mystery. It was a little predictable, but I think if you’re a fan of this genre you will enjoy this one.

Scarlett’s dream was to open a bookstore in CA but soon her dream becomes a nightmare when she discovers the dead body of a customer and she’s the prime suspect.

Murder by the Seashore is the first installment of the California Bookshop mystery series and it was so fun! I am from Southern California and I really enjoyed the beach setting. I also really liked the friendships in this story… but poor Scarlett! She had so much going on, I really felt for her! The characters were likable and the story was an entertaining one. With that said… I received this book as an ALC through NetGalley and the narrator was okay. I think I would have enjoyed it more had I read it as a physical book. If you’re into cozy mysteries, I suggest you read this one in book form and really let your imagination fly.

Thank you so much NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the ALC and the chance to listen and review it honestly.

Happy reading!

First time reading this author. I look forward to more. The mystery kept me guessing and I like the characters.

Thank you to the author, the publisher, the narrator and NetGalley for my eARC in exchange for an honest review

Thank you to the publishers, author and NetGalley for the free copy of this audio book.

This was a cozy little mystery. Some parts could have used a little more fleshed out but I enjoyed the characters and figuring out the ending. The narrator did a good job.

Cute and cozy murder mystery! I love it! How can you go wrong with a bookshop on the beach? The owner finds a dead customer near by and ends up a suspect! Thank you so much for the ARC!

Murder by the Seashore, the inaugural installment in the California Bookshop Mystery series by Samara Yew and expertly narrated by Catherine Ho, offers a delightful blend of mystery and seaside charm. Scarlett Gardner's venture into the beachside community of Southern California brings a refreshing twist to the cozy mystery genre.

Samara Yew weaves a clever narrative, infusing the plot with intrigue and surprise. The discovery of a deceased book-buying customer under the pier propels Scarlett into a mystery that not only keeps listeners guessing but also introduces unexpected elements, such as the revelation that the departed has left her a fortune.

Catherine Ho's narration brings the characters to life with a captivating performance that immerses listeners in the coastal atmosphere and the nuances of Scarlett's world. Ho's expressive delivery enhances the overall experience, making it easy to get lost in the storyline.

Murder by the Seashore successfully combines elements of cozy charm, mystery, and the allure of a beachside community. (I received an advance reader copy of this audio book and all opinions are my own.) Fans of cozy mysteries, especially those with a penchant for bookish settings, will find this audiobook an engaging and enjoyable escape.

I really did not like this book. I’m a major cozy mystery fan and this book felt very paint by numbers. The fact the heroine is crying because her business is too successful in chapter one feels pathetic. I felt we were being cudgeled with evidence for one character and thought that would be interesting, but then it proved to be a really awkward red herring. I liked the setting and the friendships but I thought this book was awkward.

Scarlett Gardner is under suspicion for murder when a body is found near her bookshop and it turns out the victim had recently changed her will to leave Scarlett her sole beneficiary. The problem is, Scarlett has no idea who the woman is or why she would do such a thing!

Since the police seem fixated on her as a suspect, she soon realizes that to figure out why Lorelai Knight was murdered, she'll have to discover why Lorelai named Scarlett as the sole heir to her vast family fortune.

Along the way, there are plenty of potential suspects, and Scarlett seems to know each and every one of them!

This was a fun and enjoyable cozy mystery with lots of quirky characters.

Thanks to Samara Yew, Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for an advance review copy.

This was such a fun cozy read. The main character owns a bookshop on the beach which would basically be a dream come true for me. I enjoyed following the twists and turns of the murder investigation and although some parts seemed far fetched, I was still a bit surprised at the end. I loved how much food was talked about as well! I will say I didn’t love the audiobook narrater - she was pretty robotic at times. I would pick up a physical copy to continue the series!

Video review included here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PmyQN6ElA3A

This author has a lot of potential. The story develops well as you go but the beginning is quite weak. It is not a ground breaking concept, the beach doesn't give the cozy atmosphere the author seamed to be going for, and the characters were very surface level & somewhat unlikable. Also, for being a small business owner the FMC didn't work very much and its evident the author thinks eight hours is a long shift. The FMC would have been much more relatable if she was putting in more hours and trying to learn about the business side since she admitted she got into the business with her boyfriend to talk to customers and stock shelves.

From the onset, ,you know you’re going to adore the lead character. Scarlet Gardner moved to to Southern California to open a bookstore with her boyfriend Connor. Unfortunately, he breaks off their relationship, and relocates for a business opportunity. Scarlett is left to make the business a success by herself. As if she needs more to worry about, Scarlett inadvertently finds a body under the pier, just steps away from the bookshop. Matters are further complicated when it’s discovered that the deceased woman left her a large inheritance. Scarlett only met the woman briefly as she was a patron of the bookstore. Could the deceased woman be her long lost biological mother? As the news spreads of both the inheritance and the murder, Connor re-emerges. Seems he’s in need of a loan. Her new employee begins to behave suspiciously and another murder happens. The suspect list is growing. Scarlett needs to figure out her mysterious benefactor’s relationship to her before she’s either arrested or killed.
This book is a quick read, that will keep you enthralled. You’ll think you know what’s happening and then be pleasantly surprised that you’re wrong. I enjoyed the character development of Scarlett and her sister . The sibling bond was especially endearing. I’d definitely recommend this book and can’t wait to read more from the author.

I don't even know where to begin with this. Honestly, I hate giving critical reviews I gave this two stars on Goodreads. The main issue with this book is there is a little depth to the main character. She has a backstory, but yet we know little about her. Personalities kind of blah. The supporting characters make little sense. What is supporting characters is just totally unlikable. So obvious reasons if you read the book. My main issue is one of the supporting characters who is supposed to be the main characters' employee her actions are strange, and then they never address why it seems she's trying to take over the bookstore the protagonist owns. I'm from California and I just feel like this person that wrote this book knows nothing about living in California, and they should've spoken to people that live in So Cal before writing this book. Basically, there is a lack of character development. And most of the murders and the reasons why the character ends up in her situation aren't really explained well enough or the reasoning is just so lame it doesn't make sense and doesn't feel like you can immerse yourself enough to give a suspension of disbelief. The editor should have caught changes that need to be made. You can tell this is the first-time author, and she needs to work on her craft before putting out the next book. I would give the next book a chance if she releases it soon enough but she definitely needs to make some major improvements including making her character likable. I almost did not make it through the book, I almost DNF so many times.

A cute and not too scary cozy mystery balanced out well with suspense and intrigue.
There are several side plots going on in addition to the main mystery of the dead woman who washes up on the beach. What happened with Scarlett’s ex-boyfriend? Who is the woman who washed up on the beach and why did she leave Scarlett an inheritance? Why does Scarlett’s employee Evelyn seem to be pushing Scarlett away from the shop; does she want it for herself? How is her roommate’s lawyer co-worker connected to this all?
Some of these questions are solved and some leave openings for future development in the series.
I can’t wait to see what happens next!