#Review / #Giveaway – A Reel Catch (The Lotus Bay Mysteries) by Lorraine Bartlett

A Reel Catch (The Lotus Bay Mysteries)
Cozy Mystery
4th in Series
Setting – New York
Polaris Press (August 3, 2018)
Paperback: 294 pages
ISBN-10: 9781940801506
ISBN-13: 978-1940801506
Kindle ASIN: B07D3WXB9W

Dollycas’s Thoughts

Kathy Grant and Tori Cannon are roommates working on opening up their new businesses. Kathy’s Swans Nest Inn is opening soon. She has asked her Tori to help her clean up brush and shrubs on the property. Thinking they had found an old jacket they are stunned to find it on a body. Pending identification and a cause of death Tori and Kathy go back to readying the inn for guests.

Tori plans to reopen her family’s Lotus Lodge have stalled out a bit until she can find more money for renovations. Strange that at this time she gets not one but two partnership offers. To add craziness to the mix, Tori’s cousin Amber blusters onto the scene with her own bit of drama.

The ladies have their hands full because the case of the body they found has now been declared a murder. Can they catch a killer and get the Seans Nest Inn opened on time? or will they be the killers next victims?

I am late to the party on this series and was confused because some reviewers call this the second book in the series while Amazon lists at as book #4. A little research has shown the first book in the series, Panty Raid is a short 26-page prequel, followed by Book #2, With Baited Breath, the first full-length book in the series. The third book in the series is again, a mini-mystery, 46 pages, entitled Christmas at Swans Nest. That brings us to A Reel Catch, the second full-length book in the series.

By jumping in at this point I felt I would lose some of the character development and the journey of the characters to this point, but the author included enough history to make me feel comfortable. I do need to go back and read to get more info on Tori’s grandfather and his big lottery win though. What the little bit I have seen he sounds like quite a gentleman and the close relationship he has with Tori is very clear.

As I got to know the characters I was quickly drawn into their lives. Finding this body started to put some chaotic events in motion and it seemed everyone they came in contact with became a suspect. Kathy, Tori and their friend Anissa really tackle everything thrown at them head-on. I enjoyed following through each vital and sometimes very scary moment.

This author also writes the Booktown Mysteries under the name Lorna Barrett, a series that I love. Like those stories, this story features strong women with a strong bond. The mystery she has entangled them is complex with a variety of suspects. She sets a pace that ramps up as the story continues. Her descriptive talents bring Lotus Bay to life.

My first literary escape to Lotus Bay was quite enjoyable. I hope to return again soon.