"Murder and Manuscripts" by Nora Bardin

95 pages, published by Noracatherwoodmysteries.com, ©2025

Blue Harbor, Maine is the perfect place for Isabel Fleming to escape to when she's had enough of the hustle and bustle of New York City or her job as a book editor. Blue Harbor has all of the charm tourists seek when they want a quiet vacation with beautiful scenery and friendly locals. The best part of the town just might be Turning the Tides, the bookstore owned by Isabel's Aunt Louise.

Turning the Tides is the main setting of "Murder and Manuscripts" by Nora Bardin. The book is the first installment of the Isabel Fleming Cozy Mystery Series.

Death in Blue Harbor

Louise, a popular resident of Blue Harbor, has unfortunately passed away. Isabel has come back to look after her aunt's final wishes, including selling the beloved Turning the Tides. Isabel's boyfriend, Andrew, is patiently waiting for her to come back to New York. Isabel is an efficient, meticulous woman. She knows exactly what needs to be done for her to wrap up this part of her life and head back to her boyfriend and her job.

There's just one problem. While she is in Turning the Tides, Isabel learns her aunt's death was more than just an unfortunate passing. Her aunt was murdered. No one in town would ever think someone like Aunt Louise would have any enemies. Isabel wants answers, and there are people who want her to sell the store and go back to her life in New York. If she doesn't get the message, people in town will find other ways to let her know what she should do.

Locals to the Rescue

Isabel isn't one to back away from any threat or anyone. She's a smart woman, and when she finds her car sustains damage overnight, she knows it's time to involve the local authorities and enlist the help of professionals. Police shrug off the vandalism as nothing more than bored teenagers, but Isabel knows better and goes off on her own to find out who murdered Louise and who wants Isabel to stay out of it. Enter Crowell, a rich and powerful resident of Blue Harbor who has made his money in less-than-scrupulous real estate deals. Cromwell will stop at nothing to make his next payday. Is he responsible for Louise's murder? Did Louise know something about the shady land tycoon?

What began as a simple handling of an estate has turned into a full-on murder mystery. Blue Harbor is home to good small-town folk, including a book club made up of retired ladies. There is also Max, a gray-haired lighthouse keeper who just wants to be left alone, the handsome, green-eyed Benjamin who is always ready to help when Isabel needs it, and MiMi, a Calico cat always ready to give loyal company to a lap that needs it.

A Good Read

Bardin's first installment in her series is a fairly good read. The small town characters are relatable and the descriptions she gives will make the reader wish there were lighthouse keepers and book club members like the "Murder & Manuscripts" characters nearby for an afternoon chat. The descriptors in the story can seem a little repetitive, but you will still feel like you are one of the people on the cobblestone streets of Blue Harbor looking for a hot beverage to go along with your new purchase from Turning the Tides. There is a second book on the way. Maybe it will find its way on the shelves of Turning the Tides?

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