Book Review: Partners in Lime by Bree Baker

Partners in Lime (Seaside Cafe Mystery #6). Bree Baker. Poisoned Pen Press (2021). 336 pages. Genre: Cozy Mystery.

First Line: "I smiled at the sound of seashell wind chimes jangling over my front door."

Summary: Charm, North Carolina is the location of some fun summer events.  Surf competitions are often held nearby and this summer Charm will be hosting the eighty-fourth season of The Lost Colony, a historical outdoor drama.  Some of the local residents have secured positions in the play.  As opening day draws nearer, tensions are running high.  

Matt Darning, EMT and friend of Everly Swan, has a leading role in the play.  It turns out he is excellent with the longbow.  One evening after rehearsal, Everly notices Matt arguing with a surfer.  The next morning the surfer is found dead, shot with an arrow.  The evidence points to Matt.  Everly is convinced Matt isn't capable of murder.  He is an EMT after all.  He is in the busines of saving lives, not taking them.  As the evidence continues to mount, Everly has to work fast to prove her friend's innocence.  

My thoughts:  While Charm is not as popular a town as Manteo or Corolla, just a few miles away, there is always something interesting going on.  Everly's Aunt Fran has become mayor of Charm and is working hard to bring events back to the island.  Manteo hosts a surf competition and some of the surfers have made their way to Charm to explore.  That combined with the upcoming production of The Lost Colony, have caused the population of Charm to swell, bringing in lots of new faces. 

Everly and Detective Grady Hayes have begun dating.  Their relationship is proceeding smoothly until the murder happens.  Everly can't help herself from becoming involved.  Granted, the main suspect is a good friend of hers and she desperately wants to prove his innocence.  But, she causes Grady unnecessary stress by putting herself in danger.  This time it did seem like the threats came out of no where.  But, she has developed a reputation in town for investigating crimes.  So, the killer seems to assume that she will get involved.  I admit that I was annoyed by Everly's behavior.  Grady asked her specifically to not do something and she would turn around and do exactly that.  Then she would lie about it.  What stopped me from abandoning the book was the inner dialogue Everly had with herself.  She recognized where she was wrong and determined to do better.  She admitted to herself and Grady that she didn't like being deceptive.  It turns out that it wasn't just me, her behavior was over-the-top.  However, it ended up be an important part of the plot.

A new tea shop has opened in town and Everly sees it as competition. Sun, Sand and Tea is casual and serves iced tea, while the new shop is more of a formal tea house.  This adds a fun new element to the stories.  Also, Everly's best friend is having a birthday and her boyfriend wants to throw her a surprise party.  Of course he asks Everly for help.  

The suspect list was plentiful.  It was just a matter of figuring out who had opportunity.  I was glad Detective Hays was on the case, because I was clueless who the culprit was. 

While the current case is solved, we are left with a cliff hanger at the end of the book.  Even though I was annoyed with Everly and hope she tones down her annoying behavior, I can't wait to read the next installment.