Series debut: Downeast Maine
The brother sister team that is Lee Hollis begins a new series with The Chowder House Murder. Halibut Cove, Maine, is the home to the Holbrook family: Audrey Holbrook, her mother Jill, and her grandmother Maggie are the heroines of this cozy. All three women have very different lives. Audrey works at The Chowder House and aspires to own her own business one day, creating delicious recipes for everyone in Halibut Cove to enjoy. Jill is the chief of police and is determined to dole out justice to anyone causing grief in her town. Maggie is retired from the family chowder dynasty, but well known and loved around Halibut, having her fingers in a bunch of different pies and a social circle that spans the entire town.
All three Holbrook women are pulled into the investigation of Chips Hogan’s death as his final, and poisoned, meal was at The Chowder House. Jill is quick to hop into the investigation, but their primary suspect is one that Maggie can’t believe – even though Waldo Duggan has a chowder grudge against the Holbrooks, murder just doesn’t seem in his character no matter what the evidence might say. Recruiting her granddaughter Audrey, Maggie launches her own investigation, much to Jill’s chagrin, and despite her begging her to stay out of it. Audrey is determined to find out who poisoned Chips and rid The Chowder House of any suspicion as the source of the poison.
Understandably, folks learning of the poisoned chowder did cut down on business by quite a bit, and what customers they did have avoid the suspicious dish. However, that isn’t enough drama for the Holbrook family – Maggie’s middle son Cord is also in the process of getting engaged and setting up his marriage to a woman with a less than favorable reputation around town. Despite their personal feelings, the rest of the Holbrook clan are all determined to support him as best they can. As Maggie and Audrey investigate, however, tensions rise as the murderer begins to get antsy about their closing in. When there’s another murder, Jill becomes even more concerned for her family, but they are doubling down in their determination to find the truth and protect their town and each other.
The Chowder House mystery is a must read for anyone who enjoys a small-town cozy that utilizes multiple perspective mysteries and multigenerational teamwork. Those who have read their other books will welcome this newest series and quickly find themselves lost in the pages. I really enjoyed Lee Hollis’ use of perspective switching, which is a tricky mechanic to use effectively without confusing the readers. Lee Hollis’ was well written and easy to follow, adding the to the flow of the story without bogging readers down with repeated information. Each perspective is also unique and stylized to fit the one the chapter focuses on. Each of the Holbrook women are strong, intelligent, and have a strong sense of justice. Given how prolific Lee Hollis’ other series are, I look forward to more of the adventures of the Holbrook women. – Carla Schantz