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kimdavishb's review against another edition
5.0
DRAWN AND BUTTERED by Shari Randall, the third book in the Lobster Shack Mystery series, is the first I’ve read although I have to admit I’ve had my eye on the series for several months now. Despite my best intentions to start reading this series, it’s been the case of too many books and too little time… but now I’m realizing I should have moved it to the top of my to read pile. Despite starting with the third book, DRAWN AND BUTTERED was easily read as a standalone and I felt like it was easy to get to know the characters and settings. Protagonist Allie Larkin is an injured professional ballerina. While recuperating, she’s moved back to Mystic Bay to help her Aunt Gully run her lobster shack, the Lazy Mermaid. The reader is treated to a goose-bump worthy, Halloween-themed, slightly spooky story filled with a giant lobster, aka Lobzilla,; a coven of witches who have their eyes on Aunt Gully, and a murdered victim found on top of a supposedly haunted ancestral grave.
I enjoyed how the author combines historical elements from the colonial era with current day events. She effortlessly weaves in bits and pieces about how people dressed in the 1600s, along with sailor and fishermen equipment, and swords. It added to the authenticity of the plot’s premise. Ms. Randall includes several subplots, each building on the other, to keep Allie moving at a fast pace throughout the story. There were plenty of clues to keep me turning pages and plenty of suspects, thanks to the subplots, to keep me guessing. The reveal felt just a little rushed but in the end, the threads were pulled together for a heartwarming conclusion.
I enjoyed how the author combines historical elements from the colonial era with current day events. She effortlessly weaves in bits and pieces about how people dressed in the 1600s, along with sailor and fishermen equipment, and swords. It added to the authenticity of the plot’s premise. Ms. Randall includes several subplots, each building on the other, to keep Allie moving at a fast pace throughout the story. There were plenty of clues to keep me turning pages and plenty of suspects, thanks to the subplots, to keep me guessing. The reveal felt just a little rushed but in the end, the threads were pulled together for a heartwarming conclusion.
melanietalksbooks's review against another edition
3.0
I like a few of the characters but the side plots are really predictable like the stolen recipes and the stolen backpack. Allie is kind of ridiculous with the backpack thing. I did not like the fact that she just kept evidence in a world with cameras on phones. She could have had access to the evidence and then it would not have been as obvious. I'll read the next book as long as its available in my local library.
jenn0889's review against another edition
3.0
Shari Randall's Drawn and Buttered is the third installment in the Lobster Shack Mystery series. Autumn is setting in, and the small town of Mystic Bay is recovering from the hectic busy season as a top tourist destination. Recovering from an injury, former ballerina and now Lobster Shack employee, Allie Larkin has seen it all. Now she is looking forward to a little peace and quiet that the off season could provide. Of course, with Halloween around the corner things are bound to get a little out of hand. When from the depths of the ocean, a monstrous sized lobster, affectionately named Lobzilla emerges, everyone is excited about this almost record breaking lobster, especially Allie's friend Fred, the eccentric marine biologist.
Lobzilla's infamy makes him a prime target though, and in the dark of the night poor Lobzilla goes missing, and that is just the beginning.
As part of the series, Drawn and Buttered could be read as a standalone. I had no issue getting into the characters and understanding the dynamic of Mystic Bay. You are introduced to motley crew of townsfolk. Such as Aunt Gully, the owner of the Lobster Shack. Allie's friends Verity and Bronwyn, and even Allie's friends from her other life as a prolific ballerina in Boston.
As a cozy this book packs a punch. The book has many layers of intrigue and mystery and builds on an interesting town history. As a reader I am highly intrigued by Mystic Bay and the Lobster Shack series, and will definitely be going back to read the first two books in the series.
Thank you to St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for an advanced copy of this book.
Lobzilla's infamy makes him a prime target though, and in the dark of the night poor Lobzilla goes missing, and that is just the beginning.
As part of the series, Drawn and Buttered could be read as a standalone. I had no issue getting into the characters and understanding the dynamic of Mystic Bay. You are introduced to motley crew of townsfolk. Such as Aunt Gully, the owner of the Lobster Shack. Allie's friends Verity and Bronwyn, and even Allie's friends from her other life as a prolific ballerina in Boston.
As a cozy this book packs a punch. The book has many layers of intrigue and mystery and builds on an interesting town history. As a reader I am highly intrigued by Mystic Bay and the Lobster Shack series, and will definitely be going back to read the first two books in the series.
Thank you to St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for an advanced copy of this book.
debrajoreads's review against another edition
5.0
AMAZING!! Shari Randall, you did it again, and better!! I love this series. I feel like I am part of community of Mystic Bay when I read these books. The core characters are amazing and every new character introduced is developed extremely well.
Here in book 3, its Halloween. Its Halloween in New England. Old traditions and superstitions are brought to light in reenactments. I was actually familiar with the superstition or folk lore surrounding the Parish Family ancestry. So when a body is found in the old Parish Cemetery, on Halloween night, it makes you questions if there were supernatural beings at work or a murderer.
Its up to Allie, Verity, and a others to crack the case. The shenanigans they get into are mostly comical, yet someone is now actively seeking Allie out. Can Allie crack another case?
Oh and don't forget Lobzilla!! I am also glad we didn't have to deal with Lorel much in this story.
What is so great about Ms. Randall's books, you definitely feel like you are part of the story. Allie is the protagonist/sleuth. She is very likable and relatable. She isn't pushy and while she does find herself in some compromising positions, her behavior isn't as reckless as in some cozies. She lives with her whimsical Aunt Gully, who is quirky for sure but not obnoxious. Also, the "law" is now used to her involvement and actually trust her instincts. They aren't over the top jerks.
Here in book 3, its Halloween. Its Halloween in New England. Old traditions and superstitions are brought to light in reenactments. I was actually familiar with the superstition or folk lore surrounding the Parish Family ancestry. So when a body is found in the old Parish Cemetery, on Halloween night, it makes you questions if there were supernatural beings at work or a murderer.
Its up to Allie, Verity, and a others to crack the case. The shenanigans they get into are mostly comical, yet someone is now actively seeking Allie out. Can Allie crack another case?
Oh and don't forget Lobzilla!! I am also glad we didn't have to deal with Lorel much in this story.
What is so great about Ms. Randall's books, you definitely feel like you are part of the story. Allie is the protagonist/sleuth. She is very likable and relatable. She isn't pushy and while she does find herself in some compromising positions, her behavior isn't as reckless as in some cozies. She lives with her whimsical Aunt Gully, who is quirky for sure but not obnoxious. Also, the "law" is now used to her involvement and actually trust her instincts. They aren't over the top jerks.
annmarie_reads's review against another edition
4.0
Drawn & Buttered is the 3rd book in the Lobster Shack Mystery series. Allie is a ballet dancer recovering from an injury and helping her Aunt Gully run her lobster shack. Between serving lobster rolls and chowder, Allie becomes tangled in a murder mystery. Cozy mystery fans will enjoy this book.
msrichardsreads89's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
jmdigiantonio's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed Shari Randall;s third novel in her Lobster Shack series! It has a very quaint charm and the protagonist is easily relatable. Ms. Randall does a great job of bringing Aunt Gully and the other characters to life, especially some of her new characters! As Allie's ankle heals, I'm curious as to how that will affect the characters and the storylines. I can't wait to see what Allie Larkin and Aunt Gully get up to next!
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