Maine, island-life, recipes, amateur-sleuth, cozy-mystery, family, family-business, family-dynamics, friendship, small-town, small-business, tourist-town, cold-case, murder, murder-investigation, law-enforcement, series, disappearance, inheritance, secrets, lies, mysteries***** This is not an unbiased review because I really enjoy this series and this addition is no exception. Julia is part of the family (with widowed mom, sister, and other relatives) who operate the Snowden Family Clambake on their private island on the coast of Maine. Mom and Julia share a renovated Victorian on the island while her sister (a gifted potter) lives in town. The story starts with the declaration of presumed death of a woman who went missing five years ago and her will naming Julia's mom as executor. In cataloging items designated for a multitude of heirs in houses both in Boston and a neighboring island, many questions are raised and Julia becomes convinced that the disappearance was, indeed, due to death and that there was a possible murder to be solved. So the sleuthing begins! Great whodunit! The ongoing characters seem so real and engaging, and the new ones are clearly presented. I loved it! I requested and received an EARC from Kensington Books via NetGalley. Thank you!

Hidden Beneath by Barbara Ross takes us back to Busman’s Harbor, Maine. It is another busy season for the Snowden’s with the clambake business. Julia and her mother are glad to be living at Windsholme. It saves them having to return to Busman’s Harbor each evening. Jacqueline, Julia’s mother, finds herself the executor of a childhood friend’s estate. There is something suspicious about the woman’s death. Five years have passed since Ginny has died, but Jacqueline and Julia are hoping to find clues in Ginny’s residences. Another murder means the two women are getting close. There are several suspects, with most of them belong to the Wednesday Club. There is misdirection to keep the sleuths off the path of the guilty party. I had fun solving this whodunit. Barbara Ross crafted an intriguing whodunit. We get to catch up with all the regular characters plus see how Jacqueline and George’s romance is progressing. Julia runs into her ex-boyfriend Chris while on Chipmunk Island helping her mother with Ginny’s estate. Chris has made some decisions regarding his life. And finally, something I have been hoping would happen has finally happened (I do not want to spoil it for you). In addition, someone makes an offer for Windholme. Jacqueline has a big decision to make. Jacqueline’s decision will affect the whole family. Hidden Beneath is an easy-to-read story. I like the author’s friendly writing style. The characters are kind, realistic, and relatable. Hidden Beneath is the eleventh A Maine Clambake Mystery. It can be read as a standalone. However, I have enjoyed reading the series in order. It has allowed me to get to know the characters and their backstories. There are recipes at the end for some of the dishes described in the book. The voyage in Hidden Beneath is a bumpy one with a moving memorial, scrumptious clambakes, a previous suitor, a close clique, a surprising proposition, a helpful find, and an unexpected kiss.