Scarlett Gardner runs a bookshop near the beach. One morning before opening, she takes a walk on the beach and finds the body of a woman. A woman she recognises as the last customer of the day before.

Unsettling as that is, Scarlett is even more shocked to find that she’s named in the will of the woman. She did not even know the woman! Most unsettling is when she is detained by the police in a holding cell because the murder weapon was found near her shop. (note: near her shop, in a public area, where anyone could have access.)

Scarlett decides, with some encouragement from her sister, and some help of her friend and roommate Lucia, that she will investigate the death of the woman, Lorelai. Pretty soon she has a few suspects lined up.

I liked this story at the start. It’s got a nice narrative voice. But a few cracks showed when Scarlett inherited from a total stranger (Lorelai didn’t even mention in her will her connection with Scarlett). More cracks came when Lorelai’s lawyer showed up unannounced with Lorelai’s possessions at Scarlett’s house. Didn’t Lorelai own a house that was also part of the inheritance? And considering the will is contested, shouldn’t there have been a ban on redistributing the possessions until the contesting of the will has been resolved?

The reveal of the murderer was down right ridiculous. And mainly due to the fact Scarlett picked her suspects on how much they disliked her, rather than their relationship with Lorelai.

In any case, good enough read to continue with the next in the series. Scarlett and Lucia are great characters and they share a great friendship.

I read an ARC through NetGalley.