Murder on the Rocks (Gray Whale Inn Mysteries, No. 1) (Paperback)

by Karen MacInerney (Author)
Key Phrases: Bernard Katz, Gray Whale Inn, Little Marian (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
"Murder on the Rocks mixes a pinch of salt air, a hunky love interest... and, of course, murder." -- Lea Wait, Antique Print Mysteries

"Murder on the Rocks has just what's needed for a cozy evening in front of the fire..." -- Cynthia Riggs, Martha's Vineyard Mystery series

"Murder on the Rocks has just what's needed for a cozy evening in front of the fire..." -- Cynthia Riggs, Martha's Vineyard Mystery series

"Murder on the Rocks mixes a pinch of salt air, a hunky love interest... and, of course, murder." -- Lea Wait, Antique Print Mysteries

"Sure to please cozy readers." -- Library Journal, April 1, 2006

"[An] appealing debut… this is a new cozy author worth investigating." -- Publishers Weekly, March 27, 2006

Product Description
Trading in Texas heat for Maine's tangy salt air, Natalie Barnes risked it all to buy the Gray Whale Inn, a quaint bed and breakfast on Cranberry Island. She adores whipping up buttery muffins and other rich breakfast treats for her guests until Bernard Katz checks in. The overbearing land developer plans to build a resort next door where an endangered colony of black-chinned terns is nesting. Worried about the birds, the inevitable transformation of the sleepy fishing community, and her livelihood, Natalie takes a public stand against the project. But the town board sides with Katz. Just when it seems like things can't get any worse, Natalie finds Katz dead. Now the police and much of the town think she's guilty. Can Natalie track down the true killer before she's hauled off to jail...or becomes the next victim?

Murder on the Rocks is an Agatha Award nominee.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 282 pages
• Publisher: MIDNIGHT INK (May 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0738709085
• ISBN-13: 978-0738709086
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (32 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #40,772 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

• This is item 1 in The Gray Whale Inn Mystery Series.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

44 of 46 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Fun Straight Up, June 26, 2006

By	Mark Baker (Santa Clarita, CA United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Natalie Barnes is fulfilling a lifelong dream. She recently moved from Texas to Cranberry Island off the coast of Maine after buying the Gray Whale Inn. Now she's trying to make a living running the bed and breakfast.

She's only been open a few months when trouble arrives on the island in the form of Bernard Katz. He's developed lots of resorts for the rich and famous all over the world and has his sights set on the land next to the Gray Whale Inn for his next project.

Bernard is staying at the Gray Whale during his visit to the island. The morning after the city council votes to sell him the needed land, Natalie finds his lifeless body at the bottom of some cliffs. Unfortunately, she also finds herself as the chief suspect, not only in the minds of the police, but also in the minds of the villagers. Natalie is going to have to do some poking around on her own to find the real killer if she's going to stay out of jail.

This is a debut novel with lots of promise. Natalie is a strong, likeable heroine. She is surrounded by a great cast of characters. I especially liked her niece, Gwen, who I hope to see again in future installments. And the love interest, neighbor John Quinton is a great balance for Natalie.

The plot is strong as well and progresses at a steady pace over the course of the novel. While several things were obviously set up before hand, I didn't know who the killer was until the end.

There were a couple problems, however. First, two of the characters were named Charlene and Claudette. Maybe it's just me, but I had a hard time keeping them straight and had to think anytime one of them was mentioned. More importantly, I really didn't get a feel for the size of the island until I was at least at the half waypoint. Creating a better sense of place earlier in the book would have helped.

Since this book is set at a bed and breakfast, there are several mouth-watering scenes describing food. I was glad to see several recipes in the back of the book, and I hope to get a chance to try one or two soon.

On the whole, my complaints are minor. By the time the book ended, I felt like I knew the characters and the settings. I certainly enjoyed my time there. I plan a return visit to the Gray Whale Inn when the next book comes out.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Tidy and Delicious Little Story, October 7, 2006

By	Michele Cozzens "www.michelecozzens.com" (Cloud 8) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

I am so happy I discovered this delightful book by Karen MacInerney, "Murder on the Rocks." The writing and storytelling are as quaint and charming as the Gray Whale Inn, a bed and breakfast on an island in Maine depicted in the tale. As an innkeeper, I particularly enjoyed commiserating with the narrator, Natalie Barnes, a recent transplant from Texas, as she performed her daily duties. The honest and telling reaction she had to her "off limits" kitchen being invaded one morning while she enjoyed the back porch view and her first cup of coffee before pulling together another delicious breakfast was something every innkeeper has experienced. It, therefore, made the character instantly credible and likeable. The reader can't help but root for her throughout the story as she tries to uncover the facts of who killed one of her guests, a resort developer named Bernard Katz.

Even stronger than the mystery MacInerney sets up in the story are the flavors she creates with delicious details of the breakfasts and baked goods Natalie prepares. My mouth watered throughout, and before I realized that she provides recipes at the end of the story, I wished I could taste some of these delicacies. I plan to bake Wicked Blueberry Coffee Cake this afternoon. Thank you Ms. MacInerney!

This is a very quick and enjoyable read. I recommend it.

Michele Cozzens, author of I'm Living Your Dream Life: The Story of a Northwoods Resort Owner.

28 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Needs some work, May 17, 2007

By	Janet Lee Wolfson (Woodstock, GA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I just finished "Murder on the Rocks" and while I think this series has potential, the writing needs to be edited better.

1. Natalie frequently complains about how she is flat broke and unable to eat at restaurants. She runs out of groceries and ends up with nothing to eat but a peanut butter & jelly sandwich. However, she is constantly baking up huge batches of cookies and brownies to take to friends and neighbors around the island. Whenever she needs something out of the freezer, she is pawing through chuck roasts and bacon to find the fruit she needs. So is she broke and hungry or not?

2. When a guest at her inn is found dead, Natalie sneaks into his room (against direct police orders) and finds significant evidence that she then hides. When the police later suspect her of being the killer, Natalie is unable to show evidence pointing away from her, because she stole it from the crime scene. Is she really this stupid?

3. An intruder breaks in and clobbers Natalie. She doesn't bother to call the police immediately, instead just waits for them to show up the next day.

4. Natalie pretends to be someone she's not in order to obtain private information she has no right to, and opens and reads her guests' mail.

While the plot is presented as "Natalie is a suspect in a murder she didn't commit and tries to find the real killer" she is guilty of numerous counts of obstruction of justice and just plain stupidity. It was hard to swallow.