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Title details for Smile Beach Murder by Alicia Bessette - Available

Smile Beach Murder

#1 in series

by Alicia Bessette
Karissa Vacker
Audiobook
2 of 2 copies available
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2 of 2 copies available
From author Alicia Bessette comes an all-new mystery series featuring Callie Padget, a former reporter turned bookshop clerk in the Outer Banks who is pulled into a deadly web of secrets when a mysterious fall at a lighthouse echoes a tragedy from her past.

When Callie is laid off from her reporting job, she returns to her hometown of Cattail Island and lands a gig at the local bookstore—the same one where she found comfort after her mother died. 
In fact, the anniversary of her mother’s infamous death is approaching. Years ago, Teri Padget tumbled from the top of the lighthouse. As islanders are once again gossiping about the tragedy, devastating news strikes: the lighthouse has claimed another victim. Eva Meeks, of Meeks Hardware. 
The police are calling it suicide, but Callie does not believe Eva jumped any more than she believes her mother did—especially because Callie knows that before her death, Eva had dug up a long-forgotten treasure hunt that could have put a target on Eva’s back. 
In Callie’s search for answers, she enlists the help of some beloved books and several new friends, including the handsome local martial arts instructor, Toby Dodge. But when another death rocks Cattail Island, Callie must face her fears alone. As she earns enemies in pursuit of the truth, Callie knows she will either uncover the killer or become a victim herself.
Mystery Writers of America’s Lilian Jackson Braun Memorial Award nominee

  • Creators

  • Series

    Outer Banks Bookshop Mystery

  • Publisher

  • Release date

    May 10, 2022

  • Formats

    • OverDrive Listen audiobook

      • ISBN: 9780593558591
      • File size: 273961 KB
      • Duration: 09:30:45

  • Languages

    • English

  • Reviews

    • Publisher's Weekly

      April 25, 2022
      In this perky series launch from Bessette (Simply from Scratch), Callie Paget, a single, 38-year-old journalist who loves Mary Higgins Clark novels, has reluctantly returned home to Cattail Island on North Carolina’s Outer Banks after being laid off at the Charlotte Times. She takes a job at the island’s bookstore, where she runs into high school pal Eva Meeks, who’s searching for books on Blackbeard’s treasure. Legend has it the treasure is somewhere on the island, and Eva believes she has dug up a clue pointing to Cattail Lighthouse. Callie demurs when Eva invites her to join her on the treasure hunt, so when Eva is found dead at the bottom of the lighthouse, Callie is devastated. Her death is ruled a suicide, but Callie can’t believe Eva would do that to her daughter, who’s only 12—the same age Callie was when her own mother fell from the top of the lighthouse 26 years to the day earlier. Bessette offers everything a cozy lover could possibly want: a charming setting with a host of quirky natives, a bookstore with a cat, a lighthouse, and a hunky potential boyfriend. With any luck, the appealing Callie will be back soon. Agent: Adam Chromy, Movable Type Management.

    • Library Journal

      September 1, 2022

      Narrator Karissa Vacker's warm, wistful tone perfectly captures the beachy feel of the inaugural book in the "Outer Banks Bookshop Mystery" series from Bessette (A Pinch of Love). After being let go from her newspaper job, Callie Paget reluctantly returns to Cattail Island, NC, convinced she'll stay at home just until another journalism gig comes up. Working at the local bookstore in the meantime, Callie encounters childhood friend Eva Meeks, who is excitedly looking for books about Blackbeard's treasure, certain she's uncovered a clue to its whereabouts. The next day, Eva is found dead at the foot of the lighthouse--26 years after Callie's mother died the same way--and Callie refuses to accept the explanation of suicide, given Eva's enthusiastic treasure hunt and her devotion to her young daughter. As Callie investigates, stirring up secrets from the past as well as the present, her own life is threatened. Vacker marvelously varies her accents and pitch to portray Bessette's quirky characters, all of whom are vividly drawn, despite the size and diversity of the cast. VERDICT Mystery fans will enjoy Vacker's delightful performance of this compelling series launch.--Beth Farrell

      Copyright 2022 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Formats

  • OverDrive Listen audiobook

subjects

Languages

  • English

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