Book 1 of a cozy mystery series. Anne has returned to Westport, the quaint maritime village where she grew up, to do two things she loves–teach in its multi-cultural elementary school and race her small sailboat in the Westport regattas. Anne has never remarried after her husband died fifteen years ago in his twenties and she has lived quietly in the friendly village. But after an important women’s regatta that attracts a large number of sailors, a teacher from Anne’s school is found dead at her boat club.
After the murder, the neighborhood gossip tells the police she thinks Anne and the dead teacher’s husband were having an affair. Even though this isn’t true, Anne finds herself a suspect needing to prove her own innocence by finding the true murderer. She’s helped by Tim, the dock master at her boat club, whom she’s known for a couple of years, and she finds that working together brings them much closer.
“I thoroughly enjoyed this cozy mystery. The story takes place at a boat club. As a sailor and a teacher myself I could relate to the main character. Kind of refreshing that the romance didn’t involve the detective as it so often does. I liked the characters.” —LibraryThing Early Reviewer (poolays)
“This was a really good book and kept you guessing on who the murderer was. Tim is a nice partner for Anne in helping solve the murder and they get to know each other better and grow closer. When you find out who the murderer is, it kind of makes you happy who did it. Definitely a “cozy boat club mystery.” —LibraryThing Early Reviewer (LorieSt)
“… my favorite character was Mrs. Beatrice, the town gossip. I hope the author is planning a sequel.” —LibraryThing Early Reviewer (sandyg210)
“A captivating and flowing mystery centering around the deaths of Ruth and Petra in Westport Maryland. The first question to be resolved is, were these deaths accidental or murder? Readers will feel involved in discovering and eliminating possible suspects as they also become a part of a community group led by Tim and Anne, an unofficial team alongside the official investigation led by the police and their support team. Enjoy not only the investigations, both the official and community-led, but also social life of the residents of Westport, including sailing, parades and social interactions in the coffee shop. Overall, an engaging and absorbing read with multiple connecting plot developments.” —LibraryThing Early Reviewer (Carrieida)
“…Anne and the dockmaster are determined to aid the man charged with the murder and things get even murkier when a woman who thought she should win everything is found dead. Loved the short chapters and the storyline was well written.” —LibraryThing Early Reviewer (47linda)