"Seas the Day" By Maggie Toussaint: Review/Giveaway

by Kathleen Costa


Details at the end of this post on how to enter to win a copy of this book, and a link to purchase it.
“Finder of Things”
River Holloway is a life-long resident of Shell Island, Georgia, owner of Holloway Catering, frequent tutor to some local fourth graders, and friends with a finicky black cat. Her mother recently passed away leaving just her and her brother Doug, who after a run in with the law, is attending trade school. The catering business takes up almost all of River’s waking moments, and she finds herself dealing with a very long distance relationship with boyfriend/fiancé Pete Merrick. She’s not into any of the local dating scene, taking seriously her future with Pete (babies and all), but her childhood friend Vivian Declan, with whom she’s reconnecting after a long time apart due to their hectic lifestyles, is definitely a pro. River’s good at solving puzzles and is affectionately known around the area as a “finder of things.”

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Image Source Henery Press
Seas the Day earns 5/5 Fish & Black Cats...Engaging Entertainment!
Estelle Bolz is frantic, “My Chili’s gone!” Chili is her last surviving son, having lost her youngest in an accident at sea six months ago, so her raw emotions make the demand for River’s help understandable. Chili is a local charter fisherman who also supplies River with the freshest catch of the day for her catering gigs, and “nowhere to be found” for three days has put her in panic mode to find enough sea bass for her client’s party. It’s unlike Chili to not be in daily contact with his mother and meet obligations like hers, but with his keys and truck safe and his boat the Reel Fine securely docked, the police do not seem to show enough active concern. Estelle is desperate in her plea for River to get involved.

River hits a few hot spots in town asking some inebriated patrons questions about Chili’s whereabouts, but answers range from game-show contestant to shacked up with a supermodel. Her informal questioning efforts, however, do not go unobserved by the local deputy in charge of the missing-person case. Although critical of amateurs, Deputy Lance Hamlyn recognizes that in a 90-minute spin around the bar River gathered more information, helpful or not, than he had in two days. “Would you collaborate with my investigation?” Collaboration seems the best way to get answers, especially ones that can be used in an official capacity. However, a brutal assault, cryptic deathbed message, and curious medical records turn this missing person investigation into a case of murder!

Best Catch of the Day! Maggie Toussaint has penned an engaging cozy using a first-person narrative from the perspective of the delightful River Holloway. She may have a few flaws—her frankness comes off as brusque, but she’s smart, meticulous, very capable, can cook, and uses ice cream as a stress reliever. I like her! This first-in-a-series story was a compelling page turner with shocking twists and surprises, personal peril, and justice being served well to keep me totally engaged. Making the drama well-rounded, there were entertaining side stories about the ins and outs of her catering business, budding or reconnecting personal relationships, and the island community. I felt I was missing something, like a prequel, with all the references to River’s renewed relationship, her brother’s previous brush with the law, her mother’s passing, connections to friends and foes, and the truth behind her moniker as a “finder of things,” but it all sorted itself out leaving me satisfied and eager for more. Maggie’s writing style was entertaining with sensory-laden description and realistic dialogue to illustrate tone and emotion and provide a clear picture of the setting and personalities. I really enjoyed this book and look forward to more Seafood Caper Mysteries.

Bonus! Concluding the entertainment are three recipes straight from Holloway Catering. First enjoy River’s Delicious Sea Bass (I found substituting sea bass with Tilapia makes for a great alternative), River Cakes aka Crab Cakes, and with a nice cup of coffee, end the meal with Luscious Lemon Meringue Pie (I’m not a “from scratch” kinda cook, so a pre-made crust worked well). Yummmm!

Be a Big Maggie Toussaint Fan!
“A scientist by training, a romanticist at heart,
Maggie Toussaint loves to solve puzzles.
Whether it’s the puzzle of a relationship or a who-dun-it,
she tackles them all with equal aplomb and wonder.
Her works blend mystery and romance, often with a dash of humor.”
Maggie Toussaint is a member of Southeast Mystery Writers of America, Sisters In Crime, and Guppies. She was awarded the WRW Magic Crystal Award in 2004, won the National Readers Choice Award and the EPIC ebook Award for Best Romantic Suspense, along with the Silver Falchion Award for Best Mystery. She's been nominated for Georgia Author of the Year twice. You can read the full Bio for Maggie Toussaint on her website, and learn more about her alter ego Rigel Carson.

Facebook - Maggie Toussaint Author
Maggie Toussaint, Author Website & Newsletter Sign-up

Check out other Henery Press mysteries on their website.

To enter to win a copy of Seas the Day, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line "seas" or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen May 9, 2020 . U.S. residents only and you must be 18 or older to enter. Be sure to include your mailing address if entering via email in case you win-we will delete emails after the contest. You can read our privacy statement here if you like. We delete all emails after the contest is over.

Check out other mystery articles, reviews, book giveaways & mystery short stories in our mystery section in Kings River Life and in our mystery category here on KRL News & Reviews. And join our mystery Facebook group to keep up with everything mystery we post, and have a chance at some extra giveaways. And speaking of podcasts, check out our new mystery podcast which features mystery short stories and first chapters read by local actors! A new episode went up this week.

You can use this link to purchase the book. If you have adblocker on you may not be able to see the Amazon link:




Kathleen Costa is a long-time resident of the Central Valley, and although born in Idaho, she considers herself a “California Girl.” Graduating from CSU-Sacramento, she is a 35+ year veteran teacher having taught in grades 1-8 in schools from Sacramento to Los Angeles to Stockton to Lodi. Currently Kathleen is enjoying her retirement revitalizing hobbies along with exploring writing, reading for pleasure, and spending 24/7 with her husband.
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Disclosure: This post contains links to an affiliate program, for which we receive a few cents if you make purchases. KRL also receives free copies of most of the books that it reviews, that are provided in exchange for an honest review of the book.

Comments

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