Lost & Drowned: A Bellbrook Murder Mystery book 3

Bellbrook Murder Mystery #3

by Reagan Davis

When a mystery woman turns up dead on Karla’s client’s yacht, no one knows who she was or how she got there.

When it’s discovered that the mystery woman used Karla’s name to gain access to the luxury yacht, the mystery deepens and motivates Karla to uncover the truth.

Why doesn’t the mystery woman’s clothes have any labels? Who travels with only shirts and shoes? Where are the rest of her clothes? Where is her purse?

Who is this woman and what was her top-secret reason for visiting Bellbrook? Was Karla’s politically connected client the intended victim? Can she sort fact from fiction and figure out whodunit before the killer strikes again?

If you like humourous cozy mysteries with a bit of small-town Canadian life, a close group of fun, loveable characters, dogs, and cats, then there's something in this series for you. Clean no graphic violence, sex, or strong language. Each book in the Bellbrook Murder Mystery Series contains a standalone mystery that is solved by the end of the book. The books can be read in any order, however the characters' lives and relationships evolve and change as the series progresses. Other books in the Bellbrook Murder Mystery Also by Reagan

Genres: Mystery, Cozy, Cozy Mystery

260 pages, Paperback

Published February 26, 2023

About the author

Reagan Davis is a pen name for the real author who lives in the suburbs of Toronto with her husband, two kids, and a menagerie of pets.

When she’s not planning the perfect murder, she enjoys knitting, reading, eating too much chocolate, and drinking too much Diet Coke.

The author is an established knitwear designer who has contributed to many knitting books and magazines.

I’d tell you her real name, but then I’d have to kill you.

(Just kidding! Sort of.)

Reviews

[Betty · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fantastic story. Karla is heading to get a huge amount of publicity for Bellbrook when Damien Casey, a client, arrives in his luxury yacht to explore the possibility of having his daughter’s wedding take place there. But when an unknown woman appears on the yacht with no identification and is murdered in one of the staterooms, the wedding might not take place there. Saskia has a huge on-line following and, and if goes well, could bring more business for Karla. Karla begins to investigate and starts to put the pieces of the puzzle together. Will she be able to help solve the crime before the sponsors pull away from paying for everything.

This mystery was engaging and had many twists and turns. The camaraderie between the characters were outstanding; you could feel how they supported each other and what a wonderful relationship between them. The story is filled with intrigue, a great setting and an exciting plot. It was entertaining, enthralling, funny, with a great mystery! Highly recommend the whole series! I enjoy trying to figure out who the murderer is along with Karla as she tracks down the killer and the clues.

If you like cozy mysteries with a bit of humor, small town Canadian life, a hint of romance, a close circle of quirky, lovable characters that you wish you knew in real life, dogs and cats then the book is for you. Highly recommend!

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lee Brothers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every book in this series is so good I've been joyed reading all of them!! I love the rich history of Bellcroft and that Karla and her family are refurbishing it and bringing it back to life and giving it a new purpose. I can appreciate that Karla forgives her mother and is working with her to build a future with her. I love the way this author reveals each character; their strengths and weaknesses and then tells us why someone was murdered. Great stuff!!

[Sue Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always find it hardest to write a review for books I really like. The setting of the "mega yacht" was interesting. I'd never want to live on one, but I'd love taking a tour. This was kind of like taking a virtual tour. The mystery kept me guessing. As usual, Gucci steals the show! I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.

[Tari · Rating 5 out of 5]

A dead body on her client's yacht wasn't on Karla's extensive agenda but she made it her business when he clearly needed her help to keep his family's name from the media. Karla's mom Lynn really came through as an ace assistant proving yet again she's the perfect person for the job. I think she really enjoys helping Karla and might actually be trying to make up a little for her past. Hopefully she won't get a wild hair idea and leave suddenly. I really like her character now since she's changed.

I loved how Karla found out and called out the perp at the end and how evidence was turning up to incriminate them. Meanwhile in a couple side stories, Karla had gotten a life-changing offer from her client, and her client's PA confessed a secret she'd been keeping. It was fun visiting Bellbrook in the summer and I'll be borrowing the next book on KU when it's out.

[June Price · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again, I was instantly reminded why I love Reagan Davis' books so much. Not only interesting, unique characters, but her skill and deftness with writing. Reading her description of the view as seen from a luxury yacht, I was instantly pulled in. I wanted to find out what the heck main character Karla Bell's was doing on a luxury yacht and was charmed as she described the horizon, a "blurry boundary between ocean and sky that she could see but never touch, chase but never catch. Elusive. Limitless and untouchable."

The yacht and the awe inspiring views it can provide certainly play a role in the story, but the big question is, well, make that two big questions: One, who is the murderer and, two, uh, who was the victim? Karla is aboard to promote Bellflower estate, her ancestral home, as a marriage destination to a prominent social media influencer who just happens to come from a rich family. They're all astounded to discover someone has used Karla's name to sneak onto the ship, someone whose body is soon found dead in a tub of water. Who killed... well, whatever her name is?

There are ample suspects. Saskia and husband-to-be Ben seem to be a lovely young couple, so why aren't they being truthful? Karla, with her ability to read people's tells -- involuntary actions/blinks/whatever -- when they lie, quickly discerns that there's a lot of lying going on, actually. On a ship where everyone has to be brought aboard by family or staff, how could a killer get aboard, let alone mysteriously vanish? Even weirder, what happened to the dead woman's two suitcases she brought aboard? No identification? Why is Ben acting so sneaky? Could it be the ultra organized Caitlin, fearful another woman had caught the eye of the man she adored? Why weren't the cameras catching anything? Will Karla's mother, Lynn's observations be helpful or harmful? Who was.... oh, never mind. Enough teasers.

I have discovered that the authors whose work I most enjoy must not only serve up a good mystery/story, but well-rounded characters that I'd like to know. That is definitely true here. Not only that, Davis does a deft job of showing where their stories intertwine, usually while doing an equally deft job of catching new readers up on past events. You'll learn quickly why Karla's relationship with her mother is, well, still occasionally uneasy. You'll also get to know her cop sister, not to mention her police chief father, and best friend, one who happens to be the town coroner. My hunch is you'll like them all and all have a role to play in this mystery. They have each other's backs and care about those around them.

Heck, even feisty pooch Gucci makes several appearances, managing to send one suspect quivering with fear. Honest. Read the book. It's a mystery. It's a sweet romance. It's character driven. You even get to tour a gorgeous private yacht and get a gander at that horizon Davis describes for us in the beginning. This book is a winner. Read it. You'll even know what cynophobia and ranunculus are when you're done. Another plus for me, I learned something by reading it.

Thanks #ReaganDavis and #CarpeFilumPress for allowing me to enter Karla's fascinating world and hang out with her family and friends again. Looking forward to following the continued renovation of Bellflower estate, not to mention what's up with Lynn and Harry. And, loved the cover. Kudos to the designer. The colors work.

[Vicki May · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the latest Bellbrook mystery, Karla boards the mega yacht of her latest client to find the dead body of a women who was masquerading as her assistant. Now Karla, her police chief father, police officer sister and best friend coroner have to find the murderer and save the Manor's first big event.

This series just keeps getting better. Seeing how the recurring characters are growing and changing. Their relationships are so much fun and so realistic to everyday life. I love the humor throughout the book. The mystery always keeps me guessing until the reveal. Who wouldn't love Gucci? I highly recommend Lost & Drowned to all cozy mystery readers.

[Karla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book in this series. I really love Karla Bell's character as well as her best friend, Rob. Her sister, Max, who's a police officer and her dad, Dean, who is the police chief of Bellbrook. Karla is helping a client find the perfect venue for his daughter's wedding. A great mystery murder romance with a lot of twists and turns taking place. It's a hard book to put down once you start reading it.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Gwen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Karla is set to make Bellbrook an event destination. When her new client arrives on his mega yacht to check out the venue for his daughter's wedding, it draws attention. When a woman pretending to be Karla's assistant is murdered on the yacht, Karla and her friends must unmask the killer and keep things on track for the wedding..
With her police chief dad, Dean, police officer sister, Max, and medical examiner friend, Rob, Karla is set to sift through the clues and misdirections to find out who the dead woman is and who wanted her dead.
An intriguing mystery and a cast of characters that you will wish were your friends. Will definitely read more in this series.
I received a free copy of this book and this is my freely offered review.

[Anne G. Kasaba · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a cute mystery series. The setting is a typical small town where everyone knows everybody and gossip is rampant. But it’s not malicious just interesting news. The characters are great and the book is well written with a mystery that is fun to solve. Definitely a story you don’t want to miss.

I received an arc of this book and voluntarily provided a review.

[Vivienne Begg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks Reagan for the ARC. I think I like this series more than the Knitorious series now. But no Griff in this one. I’m enjoying the development of the characters. Happy that each book is not repetitive explaining the characters - some series of books have this and it’s just a copy/paste from the previous ones.

[Delphia Von Heeder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lost and Drowned is Book 3 in a cozy series by Reagan Davis. I thought that the cozy was excellent. Karla is a strong character who kept her cool when the murder happens. I think Reagan Davis wrote an outstanding story and she unfolded the book perfectly... I couldn't put it down. I can't wait to read what Karla and her dog, Gucci, get into next. I know that the mystery will be exciting. I received an arc for free and am leaving my review voluntarily.

[Karen L. Hicks · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given this book as an ARC reader for an honest review. If you haven't read any books about Bellbrook , Karla and her friends, you are missing out on well written stories that keep you guessing. This book, the latest in the series, doesn't disappoint. An interesting story line and well developed characters make this book well worth reading.

[Maricle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This cozy mystery was really enjoyable. The characters are well rounded and I felt like I’d like to know them in person. The story line kept my interest although the ending was a bit predictable. Overall, a very good read for those who enjoy this genre. Recommended. Thanks to the author, I received a copy of this book. I leave my review voluntarily.

[Luretha Nicks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a rewarding read

I chose the first book and when I couldn't put that book down I just kept reading until I got to the end of the series there is one more book and I cannot wait to read that one it is refreshing it's humorous it'll make you want to join in the whodunit to see if what you guessed was right go ahead have a read you'll love it as much as I did and do one more to go

[Janna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful! Kept me wondering with every new twist. This is a great series!

Thanks to the author for providing this book for my honest review!

Reasons I enjoyed this book:
Realistic Happily Ever After Entertaining Easy-to-read Unpredictable Whimsical Page-turner Wonderful characters Original

[Jen Bassler · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series is so fun and I’m in love with the entire town of people.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good mystery. enjoyed it.

Amazon synopsis:
When an unknown woman turns up dead on Karla’s client’s yacht, no one knows who she was or how she got there.

When it’s discovered that the mystery woman used Karla’s name to gain access to the luxury yacht, the mystery deepens and motivates Karla to uncover the truth.

Why don’t the mystery woman’s clothes have any labels? Who travels with only shirts and shoes? Where are the rest of her clothes? Where is her purse?

Who is this woman and what was her top-secret reason for visiting Bellbrook? Was Karla’s politically connected client the intended victim? Can she sort fact from fiction and figure out whodunit before the killer strikes again?

[Judy Schulz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it

This was a very good read. I could not put it down it was so good. The story was fast paced and exciting with just a touch of humor. I enjoy reading about Karla's abilities and hope this author continues this series for many more books.

[E'Who'Reads'a'Thousand'Mysteries · Rating 5 out of 5]

Refreshing and unique

Yes I enjoyed this next book in the high quality cozy mystery series with refreshing and unique story elements. Good fun!

[JoAnne McMaster (Any Good Book) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Karla Bell owns Just Task Me! a concierge company that deals with wealthy clients. They hire her to plan events, but more so because of her ability to be discreet. She also demands that all of her employees have that quality, even her mother Lynn, who works as her personal assistant.

When she's hired by wealthy Damien to plan his daughter Saskia's wedding, she's more than excited by this one: she's hoping that her ancestral estate. Bellflower, will be the destination wedding that Saskia, a powerful social influencer, will choose. It could mean more business for Karla, and enough money to complete the renovations she's wanting to do.

But then a young steward mentions that Karla's assistant Jennifer has boarded and been put in Karla's cabin, and Karla's confused. She doesn't even know a Jennifer. So, when everyone goes to investigate, it turns out that there's been a murder...and it has to be one of the people already onboard the yacht. But who could it be? Damien? Saskia or her beau Ben, an ex-football star? Damien's assistant Caitlyn? Or someone else? What Karla does know is that everyone is lying, because Karla has a unique ability to tell when people are lying. This, of course, helps her father Dean chief of police, in the investigation. Her sister Max, another police officer, depends on Karla's ability, too.

Another big question is where is the rest of the luggage the young woman brought on board? Where is her purse? And who is she and why was she there? Will Karla be able to answer these questions before the wedding? Or will it just create more problems for her business?...

This is the third book in the series and I absolutely loved it. I have read the previous one, but am sad to say that I have not read the first (which I am definitely going to remedy). The author is more than talented, and brings that talent to the written page, which draws us into the story and we actually feel as if we have become part of it. It comes down to who I'm rooting for to be innocent, and whom I want to be the murderer. Although I read a lot of mysteries, I found this one delightful. Yes, I knew who the killer was before Karla was able to figure it out, but the clues were few and far between, to give the reader time to work their 'little grey cells' in the words of that great detective, Hercule Poirot. It was an intriguing story not only full of lies, but secrets as well, and, of course, all the characters we've come to love.

In the end, when the murderer is revealed, we watch Karla put it all together in her own inimitable way. It was a pleasure to read this book and I look forward to the next in the series. Highly recommended.

I received a copy of this book from the author and publisher but this in no way influenced my review.

[Barbara Fricks · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book before reading any of the previous Bellbrook Murder Mysteries. I was given the opportunity to read the ARC. The story was well written and came to a positive and somewhat predictable conclusion. The story begins with Karla being taxied to the pier by her sister Max. The mega yacht Aquaholic is docked just beyond the pier. There to ferry her to the yacht is the boat captain, Henry Peterson. Waiting aboard for her arrival is Damien Casey, his secretary, and his daughter and her fiancé. Damian is a successful and very wealthy lobbyist and is a client of Karla's concierge business, Just Task Me. Of unique interest in this story is Karla's ability to "usually" tell when people are lying. Of course, there's a dead body and a cast of possible suspects on board the Aquaholic, but what was particularly amusing to me was Karla's quirky family dynamics. I'll be keeping this series in my queue of cozy's to catch up with.

[Terri McClean · Rating 4 out of 5]

A decent cosy mystery that manages to pepper the story with enough suspects to keep you guessing right up to the end.

Luxury cruise ships, cute pups, a wedding,a mansion to call home and murder,what more do you need in a story.. ohhh, right..exciting characters. This story has it all.

Even though it's part of a series, this book is totally readable as a stand-alone. Anyone who likes cosy mysteries, will love this book, just give yourself enough time to read because you won't be wanting to put it down till your finished. Looking forward to more of this series.

[Kay (Brigidsmomma) Compton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reagan Davis is on top of her game with her newest book in the Bellbrook Mysteries series. "LOST AND DROWNED" is another pageturner that kept me totally enthralled and left me wanting her to hurry up and write the next one! Her characters are fully developed and the action kept me captivated. And the whodunit had me guessing right to the end.
So If you like a good cozy mystery, full of charm and a great storyline, I urge you to get this book now!

[Marilyn Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a mystery that Karla gets pulled into as it was on a client’s yacht. The woman killed used her name to board but they can’t find her belongings and why she was on board. Now it’s off to find answers and her friends are there to help her. I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

[Marie Connolly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this latest mystery. I'm fascinated by Karla and her ability to read people. The plot is well thought out and will keep you guessing. The setting is a mega yacht which is over the top in amenities. I'm looking forward to Karla's next adventure.

[Julie Burnett · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable story, the bad guy is a real mystery. You'll enjoy taking the time to read it.

[Judy Tolley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Floating murder

This book involved a murder in a yacht. Pretty ordinary and humdrum. At least I wasn't certain who the murderer was til near the end.

[Debbie Borthwick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great read from Ms. Davis! I was stumped up until the end on who-dun-it, a wonderful story leading up to a surprising finish.

[Chris B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another excellent cozy mystery! I really thought I had the murderer figured out this time but nope, it was someone I didn’t expect. All the loose ends were all so nicely tied up at the end too.

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Karla is hoping her new wedding venue will be a big hit when one of her client's daughter is interested in a destination wedding there. When Karla goes to the client's yacht, she finds out that her assistant is already on board with luggage, which is a surprise to Karla as she knows her mother is not there. The "assistant" is dead and her luggage is missing. Karla ends up investigating because Damien wants her help. There really aren't a lot of suspects as to who would want to kill the mystery woman. I felt it centered around the people on the yacht and how she could get on there and then die and nobody would know anything. The killer wasn't really a surprise, but disappointing as to who it was because I liked the person.