Welcome to Cozy Wednesday!
I am delighted to share my thoughts about
Keeled Over at the Cliffside by Nancy Stewart today!
Keeled Over at the Cliffside: A Delicious Seaside Cozy Mystery
by Nancy Stewart
About Keeled Over at the Cliffside
Keeled Over at the Cliffside: A Delicious Seaside Cozy Mystery
Sandcliff Mysteries
1st in Series
Setting – California
Independently Published (August 15, 2024)
Number of Pages – 254
Kindle ASIN : B0D3CB8HH1
In the charming seaside town of Saltcliff on the Sea, Dahlia Vale’s life is about to take a dramatic twist. Leaving behind her monotonous job as a defense contractor, Dahlia inherits her late sister Daisy’s cozy inn and a new role as guardian to her spirited niece, Diantha. But Saltcliff holds more than just new beginnings; it hides whispers of past loves, local feuds, and a string of suspicious deaths that soon draw Dahlia into their depths.
Navigating her new life with the loyal Taco, her service dog, at her side, Dahlia stumbles upon secrets that Daisy left behind. The quaint Saltcliff Bed & Breakfast becomes center stage for these mysteries as Dahlia uncovers links between a controversial local chef’s death and her sister’s secretive gardening habits. As Dahlia delves deeper, aided by the astute Detective Owen Sanderson, she finds herself untangling a web of betrayal, blackmail, and hidden motives—all under the guise of serving the perfect morning scones to her guests.
With each chapter, Dahlia transitions from an outsider to a beloved figure in the community, piecing together clues with a charm only a true amateur sleuth could possess. Amidst the culinary delights and scenic walks on the beach, “Keeled Over at the Cliffside” crafts a tapestry of intrigue and murder, testing Dahlia’s wit and pulling her further into the heart of Saltcliff’s darkest secrets. Will Dahlia serve justice as adeptly as she serves her guests?
Step into the pages of this culinary cozy mystery, where every character has a story, and the truth is as layered as a well-baked pastry. Perfect for fans of a good puzzle and a great plate of food (or those who just love a loyal Labrador), this book promises to be a delicious read from start to finish.
Join Dahlia, Diantha, and Taco as they discover that even the most picturesque towns can hide the most sinister secrets.
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Dahlia Vale hadn’t spoken to her sister for years, so she is surprised when she learns that she has been named the caretaker of her late sister’s inn in California and guardian for her tween niece Diantha. She quits her mind-numbing job as a defense contractor in DC, packs up her life and her service dog Taco, and moves to Saltcliff on the Sea.
While learning what she needs to know to run the inn and getting to know the 12-year-old niece she is now responsible for she finds herself involved in a murder investigation. Dahlia seems to have a natural talent for sleuthing and impresses Detective Owen Sanderson. Soon she is delving into clue after clue while baking for her guests, learning all about her sister, and getting her niece off to school.
Ms. Stewart has created a wonderful set of core characters. Dahlia (Dolly) Vale is a multilayered protagonist. She grows throughout the story as she starts to find her place in her new home. While she hadn’t talked to her sister in years her sister did plenty of talking about her. She realizes and analyzes their relationship with an interesting internal dialogue. That adds a heart-touching aspect to the story. Dolly has a service dog because she is allergic to legumes. Taco checks out her food before she eats it. This dog is quite a character and definitely not the best-behaved service dog. He immediately grabbed my heart. Twelve-year-old Diantha (Danny) is very mature for her age. Losing her mother to cancer was tough and she has some hard moments but her mother’s special friend and manager of the inn, Amal has been there for her. There is a very special little event between Danny and her Aunt Dolly that brought tears to my eyes. Detective Owen Sanderson is a kind man with a gentle heart. He and Dahlia make a good team and I hope that relationship continues to grow.
The mystery the author puts forth is especially intriguing because instead of the detective warning the protagonist to stay out of his case Owen asked Dahlia for help, to be a second set of eyes as he investigated not one by two murders. The case takes a huge turn when Dahlia remembers an important piece of information that had just been an offhand comment. It was the missing piece of a complicated mystery puzzle. I enjoyed the way Ms. Stewart plotted out the entire story. It had an excellent flow that really kept the pages turning.
Keeled Over at the Cliffside has given this series a captivating start. Dahlia has everything it takes to be a stellar amateur sleuth. I am eager to see what Ms. Stewart has planned for her, Danny, Owen, Amal, Taco Dog, and the people of this small seaside town next. I am excited to see Bumped Off at the Bake Sale is set to be released on October 24!
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Thank you to the author for providing me with an ARC.
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About Nancy Stewart
Nancy Stewart is the cozy pen name of USA Today bestselling rom-com author Delancey Stewart. This is her first cozy mystery, despite being raised on a steady diet of Nancy Drew and Agatha Christie, and supplementing that in adulthood with mysteries and thrillers whenever possible. She writes from her home near Denver, Colorado, where she lives with her former Marine hubby and two teenage boys. And of course, her dog, Charlie Taco (who appears in her mystery series as Taco the service dog.)
Author Links
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Purchase Link
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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Receiving a complimentary copy in no way reflected my review of this book. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” “As an Amazon Associate, I earn a commission from qualifying purchases.”
Sounds like a great book.
What an interesting mystery! Dahlia and her service dog Taco sound like a great team.
Taco really sounds like a service dog that would be fun to have around.
I look forward to reading this.