Book Review: A Call for Kelp by Bree Baker

A Call for Kelp (Seaside Cafe #4). Bree Baker.  Poisoned Pen Press (2020). 352 pages. Genre: Cozy Mystery.

First Lines: "'Hey, y'all!'  I greeted the selfie mode on the cell phone poised in my outstretched arm."

Summary:  Everly Swan is the owner of Sun, Sand & Tea iced tea shop in the beachside town of Charm, North Carolina.  Everly's great-aunts also live in Charm and are in the process of making a documentary about the American honeybee.  Iconic actress, Mitzi Calgon, has come to town to show her support for the documentary.  There will be a celebration luncheon held at the nature center.  Fans of Mitzi Calgon have turned out in droves.  

Everly's grandmother was a good friend of Mitzi's.  As a gift to Everly, Mitzi has brought all the letters she received from Everly's grandmother.  After the luncheon, they are going to get together and reminisce about the beloved woman.

Mitzi is going to give the opening statements at the luncheon.  Unfortunately, when it is time to begin, Mitzi is missing.  When the curtains on the stage open, many in the crowd gasp.  Mitzi has been found.  Her swollen face is pressed against the side of the plexiglass box of bees.  Mitzi was allergic to bees.  How she ended up in that box is a mystery.

My thoughts:  I love the characters in this series, so it is always enjoyable to return to Charm.  Everly's friendship with Denise grows in this book.  Denise is the au pair of Detective Grady Hays' son.  She was hired by his former mother-in-law after the death of his wife.  She is working part-time at the cafe while Denver is in school which gives them time to get to know one another. Everly has always thought there was more to her story than meets the eye.  We learn a little about that in this book.  

Grady and Everly's relationship grows every so slowly as well.  The pace is just right and doesn't overpower the story.  Grady is a complicated man with a complicated past.  Everly would love to know more about that but is mostly patient in waiting for him to open up.  

Everly's great-aunts have a smaller role in this story, but are still present.  We see a lot of Wyatt and Ryan, which was fun.  Her best friend, Amelia, has a smaller role as well.  Her dad is one of the prime suspects in the murder.  

There were several suspects in the murder that had strong motives. Before Everly can even begin to ask questions, she is threatened.  She really doesn't want to get involved, but when she is encouraged by Ryan and Denise, and when her curiosity kicks in, she can't seem to help getting involved.  This puts her in danger and gives Grady indigestion.  There were plenty of red herrings and I never suspected the killer.

I appreciated Everly's willingness to involve Grady when opportunities came her way to get involved in the investigation.  It seems she has learned from past mistakes.

I also appreciated the humor in the story.  Everly's comments or thoughts had me laughing out loud more than once.

This was a thoroughly enjoyable addition to this highly recommended series.

Quotes:

"Riding in Grady's truck was one of my favorite things. The cab was always warm and it smelled of his cologne, soap, and shampoo.  There was sand on the floorboards and country music on the radio.  The space was familiar and comfortable when I needed both, and today there were bubblegum wrappers and plastic horses in the cupholders - signs Denver had been there earlier.  I especially loved that.  The only thing more attractive on earth than Grady in a cowboy hat arresting bad guys was Grady holding Denver's hand."

"Our town was a different place at this hour.  Closed shops. Empty sidewalks. All put on hold for sunrise.  Charmers were a morning people.  A 'greet the day with a smile' people.  The sort who walked the beach or boardwalk before breakfast and accomplished more by lunch than most could before dinner."

Calendar of Crime: August - month related item on cover, beach