caitkom's review against another edition
5.0
This is such a great series. I love watching the character development, and honestly, I love everything Maine. In the fifth installment, Julia and her mom are stuck in a huge Maine snow storm. Julia's mom, Jacqueline asks Julia to swing by the post office and pick up her mail. It is there that Julia finds a plain package with no return address and the zip code scratched off. Inside the package they find a 70 carat black diamond necklace estimated at $2.1 million. Jacqueline asks Julia to look into it which leads Julia on a wild ride in which she learns she has a whole bunch of family living in Boston! Chris is away in Florida and the Gus restaurant is shut down for a few days so Julia goes to Boston to meet them. This is great. Did not see the outcome, thats for sure. Can't wait to read the next one!
leedigesu's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this one. I did think it was a little slow at times but it was nice to hear Julia's family history and the mysteries surrounding them.
katkinney's review against another edition
4.0
Julia Snowden is in Maine for the winter, and everyone in town is snowed in. She is picking up packages for her mother at the post office when they receive a surprise package from an unknown sender that turns out to be a lost family heirloom that is extremely valuable. Julia’s mother grew up believing she didn’t have many family members left, but as Julia begins to investigate, she uncovers more of the family history and clues to who may have sent the “Black Widow” necklace that has been lost for a century.
asanford's review against another edition
5.0
Absolutely LOVED this Clambake mystery. It was all about the history of the family, the island, and the area. Didn't want to put it down!
tmleafs42's review
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
5.0
Another fantastic addition to this cozy series. We find Julia trying to find the mysterious sender of a valuable item to her mother while everyone is on baby watch with Livvie. A wonderful mystery with a very satisfying end.
neverloweonbooks's review against another edition
4.0
I was excited to jump back into A Maine Clambake Mystery series and this book did not disappoint. It was set up a bit different from the others and kept me guessing. This series is one of my favorites and I look forward to the next!
xkay_readsx's review against another edition
4.0
I read ([b:Death and a Pot of Chowder|37648668|Death and a Pot of Chowder (A Maine Murder Mystery #1)|Cornelia Kidd|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1518020565l/37648668._SY75_.jpg|59239561]) a few years ago and since then still no sequel so I'm searching for my next cozy set in Maine. "Maine Clambake" series seems to be quite popular among cozy readers, and rightfully so. The Snowdens are likable with Clambake business in seasonal touristy Busman's Harbor. A mysterious and precious "black widow" necklace was an engaging plot. While this book has a lot of Boston from investigation side, it was an enjoyable one.
I love audio books, but "only from audible" feel so forced for ongoing series remake for audible. So I'm starting with book #5 and skipped all "only from audible" 1 through 4.
I love audio books, but "only from audible" feel so forced for ongoing series remake for audible. So I'm starting with book #5 and skipped all "only from audible" 1 through 4.
shammons's review against another edition
4.0
I'm progressing nicely with this series, and couldn't be happier! This one in particular seemed to be a step above other cozies that I read. It had a very Agatha Christie-esque feel to it, and was a nice break from finding bodies back in good ole Busman's Harbor. Plus, the added backstory of Julia's family history (her mom, Jacqueline Morrow Snowden's history is delved into very deeply), really rounded it out nicely for me. I hope to get current on this series in the next year, as I am speeding through them lately!
daybreak1012's review against another edition
4.0
Why oh why did I ever wait so long between books four and five? I mean, I know the answer to that question, but it is prolific and has nothing to do with my review of this book, so I won't go into detail. Regardless of the reason, I have been depriving myself terribly. I am effectively reminded of that now.
What I liked about Iced Under:
The writing - The tone, the style, the language. I don't know if it's the fact that I grew up in New England or what exactly, but the writing reads like I would talk, right down to the cadence.
The mystery itself - Following a formula I found clever and unique, one I have yet to encounter in the many cozy mysteries I have consumed, I couldn't help but to think how believable it all felt. It required no suspension of disbelief for me at all. It was engaging and absorbing and I honestly could not turn the pages quickly enough to see how it was going to play out. It never felt rushed. It never felt forced. Just perfect pacing from start to finish.
The characters - For being only five books in, the characters and their relationships are remarkably well-developed. What's more, they are likable. And not because they are so perfect. They aren't. They just feel like real, decent people.
What I didn't care for:
Not a single thing. In fact, I almost broke my own precedent and gave this one five stars. I try to save my five-star ratings for books that truly move me and four stars for books I really enjoy, subjective differences, I realize. I am fairly certain the only thing stopping me is that I would feel as if I would have to go back and re-evaluate my ratings on all my other four-star cozy mysteries.
Iced Under was a delightful venture into Julia's family. I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know more of the ancestral history, all wrapped up in a mystery to solve. And dare I say that as the book was concluding several events in a row nearly brought me to tears. I am not sure any other cozy mystery can make that claim. I may have waited far too long to read book five, but I can promise you this: I will not be waiting as long to grab book six! (And I am just now realizing that I unintentionally skipped book 4.5 even though I presently have it in my possession. ::facepalm:: That one will be coming up next.)
What I liked about Iced Under:
The writing - The tone, the style, the language. I don't know if it's the fact that I grew up in New England or what exactly, but the writing reads like I would talk, right down to the cadence.
The mystery itself - Following a formula I found clever and unique, one I have yet to encounter in the many cozy mysteries I have consumed, I couldn't help but to think how believable it all felt. It required no suspension of disbelief for me at all. It was engaging and absorbing and I honestly could not turn the pages quickly enough to see how it was going to play out. It never felt rushed. It never felt forced. Just perfect pacing from start to finish.
The characters - For being only five books in, the characters and their relationships are remarkably well-developed. What's more, they are likable. And not because they are so perfect. They aren't. They just feel like real, decent people.
What I didn't care for:
Not a single thing. In fact, I almost broke my own precedent and gave this one five stars. I try to save my five-star ratings for books that truly move me and four stars for books I really enjoy, subjective differences, I realize. I am fairly certain the only thing stopping me is that I would feel as if I would have to go back and re-evaluate my ratings on all my other four-star cozy mysteries.
Iced Under was a delightful venture into Julia's family. I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know more of the ancestral history, all wrapped up in a mystery to solve. And dare I say that as the book was concluding several events in a row nearly brought me to tears. I am not sure any other cozy mystery can make that claim. I may have waited far too long to read book five, but I can promise you this: I will not be waiting as long to grab book six! (And I am just now realizing that I unintentionally skipped book 4.5 even though I presently have it in my possession. ::facepalm:: That one will be coming up next.)
lost_goddess's review against another edition
5.0
Wonderful, warm writing style. Ross even made genealogy research interesting. Great character building. Highly recommend.