I love this series so much. It’s absolutely like taking a trip to a little town in coastal Maine. So much delicious traditional Maine food described in every chapter (lots of lobster and seafood dishes, and desserts with blueberries). This book had an interesting plotline with lobstermen because the murder in the book took place on a lobster boat. Also, the main character Julia Snowden has to decide whether she wants to stay in her little coastal town where the economy is depressed and everyone has to work three part time jobs to make it, or return to New York City, where she had a big job in finance. In Maine, she’ll be with her family and new boyfriend, Chris. In NYC, things in some ways will be easier. (Of course, then we don’t get any more books, so I like Maine’s chances!) As we get deeper into the book, the plot just gets twistier, involving the depressed economy, competing restaurants and what means struggling lobstermen may have to turn to in order to make ends meet. This was well plotted and I thoroughly enjoyed it! ( )

Book 3, and one of the things I like about the series is feeling like I'm discovering a little corner of Maine life...this time, about lobstering. I love the cover illustration--no skulls, skeletons, or blood. ( )

This is the third book in the Clambake Mystery series and each book gets better. "The Season" in Busman's Harbor Maine is winding down and the town is getting ready for winter. Julia Snowdon is trying to figure out what is next for her. In the last book, she and Chris had a falling out and she is still not sure where their life together might end up. She wants to stay in Busman's Harbor for her family and the business as well as Chris, but her life in New York is still calling her. When a a new competitor in the business appears on the scene, both she and Sonny are worried about what will happen to the Family Clambake business. While on the island looking for her cat Le Roi to take to the mainland, she spots a lobster boat floating in the strait and it appears to be empty. She calls the coastguard and they bring it into the harbor. When the boat is pulled from the water the competitor is found dead tangled in the ropes. Her brother-in-law, Sonny, is the main suspect. Once again, Julia struggles with finding this dead body and has several reasons to try and find the culprit. She wants to help Sonny, Livie asks for help because she knows Sonny is lying and she can't stop interfering when there is a mystery afoot.

I love the characters in these books. Julia's family, Livie, Sonny, Paige and Jacqueline (her mother) all show new sides to their lives and personality. Gus, the crusty diner owner, has a personal crisis in this book and again, we see another side to him. Chris finally shares his story with Julia and it brings them closer. The neighbours, Vee and Fee, are also seen in a semi-crisis. A lot happening with the characters as well as a well plotted mystery. I read this one in one day as I wanted to see what was going on. I had suspicions about the murderer, but the motive was not what I expected. A great read that will pull you in. If you have not read any books in this series, you might want to start at the beginning as I did to get all the background, but it is not necessary. Ready to start the next one. Cozy mystery lovers, don't miss this series. ( )

The season at the Snowden Family Clambake is about to end and Julia needs to decide if she is returning to New York and her financial advisor job or stay in Busman's Cove to help run the family business. When a new competitor to the family business ends up dead in the water (literally), Julia needs to make sure none of her family is accused of the crime.

I like this series a lot. I like that Julia is still missing New York a bit even though her romance is making small town life more bearable. I like the mystery, it was interesting and although I had it mostly figured out there was still a surprise. I like the family feel of the town. I am hoping for an enormous snow storm in the next book. ( )

Musseled Out by Barbara Ross is the third book in A Maine Clambake Mystery series. Julia Snowden had taken a leave of absence from her job working in venture capital and is helping her family run The Snowden Family Clambake Company (getting it back from the brink of bankruptcy). Owen Quimby, H.R. Director, has called saying she needs to come back to work or they are going to fill her position. Julia cannot decide what to do. She is given until Friday to make up her mind. The season is ending and they have to close everything up out on Morrow Island (the private island the family owns where they hold the clambakes). Julia’s sister, Livvy, along with her husband, Sonny, and their little girl, Page have already moved back to the mainland. Julia has to decide whether to get an apartment, live with her mother (she does not like that option), or move in with her boyfriend, Chris Durand. Julia has trouble with commitments and does not think she is ready to move in with Chris.

The afternoon after looking at an apartment, Julia is out on Morrow Island. She sees a lobster boar drifting around. Lobster boats did not drift and Julia does not see anyone on board (from her position on the island). She calls in the Coast Guard and they haul the boat to Busman’s Harbor. When the boat is pulled up, they find David Thwing tangled up in the trap lines. Mr. Thwing along with Genevieve Pelletir (his chef and business partner) are opening a rival business. He was known as The Mussel King and had several restaurants. He was now going to offer gourmet meals instead of clambakes. Sonny had been opening opposing him. The owner of the boat, Peter Murray, was not on the boat. Everyone is out looking for Peter. Sonny is the police’s number one suspect. Livvy asks Julia to find out where Sonny was that day and prove him innocent.

Julia has to clear Sonny’s name, find the real killer, decide if she wants to stay on the island or go back to Manhattan, and where she wants to live. Julia does not seem to be able to make decisions so she sets out to solve the murder. Something is also wrong with Mrs. Gus. She collapses and is rushed to the hospital. It turns out that her medication for arthritis had a foreign substance on them. But where did the medication come from? There is no label on them. Kyle, Sonny’s younger brother, seems to have a drug problem. But where is getting the drugs and the money to pay for them? Do the drugs tie into David Thwing’s murder? Julia has her work cut out for with the mystery!

Musseled Out is a great cozy mystery. This book can easily be read as a stand-alone (if you have not read the two books before Musseled Out). I give Musseled Out 5 out of 5 stars. Musseled Out has romance, humor, interesting characters, an independent cat named Le Roi,and a good mystery. The mystery was medium level. Not super easy to solve, but not too hard. I look forward to the next book in this series!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. ( )