*Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a review copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.
Publication Date: December 29, 2020
Publisher: Poisoned Pen Press
Pages: 352
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Rating: 4/5
Closely Harbored Secrets is the fifth book in the Seaside Cafe Mystery series. I love food related cozy mysteries and this one not only has yummy sounding food but also great sounding tea blends. And you can’t tell from this cover but it is actually a mystery based around Halloween. Everly and her aunts are taking part in a historic haunted walking tour when one of the actors is found deceased. And found next to the deceased is Everly’s name written in the sand.
This is the first book I have read in this series and I will definitely go back to read this series from the beginning. The mystery was fun with different potential suspects that truly left me wondering who did it until just before the big reveal. I also didn’t realize that there were some supernatural aspects to this series and I loved the way those elements were weaved throughout the story. My one negative of this story was that I didn’t really enjoy the love triangle aspect. Although, I may have appreciated it more if I had read this series from the beginning.
If you are a cozy mystery lover than this is a series that I think you will enjoy. Baker did a great job telling a compelling mystery that kept me fully engaged. I also loved the tea and food elements and I’m looking forward to reading the first book in the series and seeing how Everly starts her tea shop.
Books With Cassie 