Dead on the Dock

Lee Harding #2

by Beth Everett

Take a Trip to Lake Montego with Lee Harding, everyone’s favorite stoner sleuth. Lee is worried that her marriage is falling apart and runs away to the Montego Paddling Club, where her trusty canoe, Red, sits in the lake-spotted mountains of upstate New York.
Time away turns lethal when camp malcontent Emily English is found dead on the dock below Lee’s cabin. With the help of small-town detective, Lee is on the case. The more they dig, the more apparent it becomes that the historic paddling club’s inhabitants are concealing secrets, and Lee is worried that her closest friend may be hiding the darkest of them all. Can Lee save her friend before she is arrested for Emily’s murder?
Dead on the Dock is a star filled night of deception. It’s a sunny paddle across a lake full of buried secrets that will keep you guessing until the end.

Genres: Fiction

244 pages, Paperback

Published May 1, 2016

About the author

Beth Everett is the author of the Lee Harding mystery series. She grew up in the coastal hills of San Francisco. When she wasn't writing books about ladybug circuses, she was suspecting the worst of her neighbors and looking for clues of their misdeeds. She blames Nancy Drew.

The author is working on her third book, Where Charlotte Lay, which takes place in her hometown of Portland, Oregon. She finds the natural beauty of the rain forest to be a most inspirational place.

Everett's short story of the same title won second place in the Women on Writing fiction contest in 2015.

Dead on the Dock won an honorable mention in the 2016 Writer's Digest Self-Published awards.

Everett is a cannabis legalization advocate and speaks to the issue on radio and podcasts.

She spends her free time in the woods with two badly behaved Beagles, whom she fears will discover a dead body .

Reviews

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book as part of a Goodreads giveaway, thanks to Beth Everett and Goodreads for my copy. Even though this was the second book in the series it still worked for me as a stand alone mystery and I definitely want to go back and read the first one. I enjoyed the mystery storyline against the backdrop of the camp which made me feel like I was right there solving it with Lee. I could have done without the stoner aspect of her sleuthing, but overall it was an engaging mystery for me.

[Teresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first Lee Harding Mystery. Lee Harding being a pot smoking, cannabis caramel consuming sleuth. If that doesn't inspire you to want to read these books, I'm not sure what will. Lee is an extremely like-able character who heads solo to a camp in upstate New York to assess her life and marriage. Her family had been returning members of this camp for eight years. So, she is familiar with all of the fellow residents, with the exception of one. Emily. Emily is a tube sock and flip-flop wearing resident that follows all the rules, while constantly making sure the other campers do the same. Although unliked by most in the camp, no one can believe when Emily is found "Dead on the Dock". But who is capable of murder? Each camper holds their own secrets, which reveal themselves as you progress through the book. I received this book as a Goodreads Giveaway, thank you. I look forward to starting at the beginnings of the Lee Harding series now, and keeping up with this quirky sleuth.

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beth Everett keeps you guessing until the end. Several characters have a plausible motive and several of them were in camp that night. There are so many secrets to be revealed. All is definitely not what it seems. There are places where the writing is so poetic and beautiful as it describes the natural beauty of the camp area. There are fun parts where you think maybe Beth is channeling Kerouac. There are long time friendships and the best long time friendship of all: her marriage. There is so much to like about this book.

This book is written in the same vein as Death on Alder. If you liked that, be sure to read this. You don't have to read the first book to enjoy this. They are two totally different stories but both feature Lee Harding. The brief references will not make a difference. Now I can't wait for her next book, Where Charlotte Lay, which will come out this Fall.

(I received this in a goodreads giveaway.) I usually read my giveaway books in the order I recieve them, but I enjoyed the first book so much that I read this as soon as I finished the one I was on.

[Richard Whale · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting book, full of vivid characterisation and scene painting, which has yet to really decide the genre to which it belongs. Beth Everett creates believable and deeply contrasting characters that never stray from the peole we have all met yet she contrasts them in a situation which is both believable and interesting. The central character 'Lee' is taking time away from her routine life to examine who she is and where she is going and this in many ways is the strength of the book. The crime and her involvement in the solution seem a lesser part and the characters are examined and their involvement in what has transpired uncovered, the final solution seems so much less important than the emotional point reached by Lee. The weakness, if it can be called that, is Lee's reliance on 'pot' which does become a little reptitive and takes away from the emotional strength she has exhibited in taking the step to give herself space and how she manages the range of people that form the character set. I do like Beth Everett's writing and I would like to read a novel by her that fully explores character and human interaction without a side order of crime. The book is very readable and is definitely worth the effor - yet it could be so much more.

[Pam Mooney · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love that I was guessing to the end of this delightful mystery. I enjoyed taking a trip with Lee Harding - stoner sleuth. This is going to be a fun series to follow. The author really paints the picture and the characters are an eclectic group of misfits that I couldn't help but relate to. A good read.

[O · Rating 5 out of 5]

I happen to know the author - so perhaps I am biased, but I think this is a quite nice little book.

You'll wish you had a canoe and a mountain lake nearby.

[Marianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was given to me through a Goodreads giveaway in exchange for an honest review. I love mystery books, and this was no exception. I do want to say that I feel that the book is a bit better without the whole stoner bit, but it wasn't something that bothered me a whole lot. Just didn't see the need for it. I have not read the first book of the series, but it didn't matter. This book can stand on its own. I liked it that I would buy the first book and keep up wit the series. I enjoyed the story line and it was all unfolding in a perfect setting. How the author would describe the scenes made me feel as tough I was there. I also love how the author had me guessing who was the culprit with every new unveiled detail. Thank you Goodreads and Beth Everett for this wonderful book.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good take me back to camp book in a time when we can't go to camp yet. Even with the start of a murder on the dock it was appealing. The fact that people are creatures of habit and become like family when they stay each year at the same places makes it hard when something happens that disrupts the peace. A good mystery and good girl for ending it like you did. No-one should ever read the last page first-ride it out and enjoy the whole book. Being surprised at the end means the writer did an awesome job. This book also brought back camping memories of when we used to go with another family. Long ago and far away but never forgotten(at least not yet). When working through seasons means we can't physically go somewhere books take us there and for that I thank every author.

[Ken · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beth Everett did a great job of this mystery novel!

[Nicholas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Goodreads win

This was an interesting read. It really kept my attention. The author did a wobderful job. Would recommend.

[Tina Myers · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this second installment of the Lee Harding Mysteries, Beth Everett has two great stars and a wonderful cast of supporting characters. The voice of Lee Harding really takes shape in this sequel as Lee continues to question her life. Lee is at once sassy, spiritual, and when needed, stoned.
When uptight Emily English ends up dead on the dock, Lee’s quiet escape to her favorite rustic lake resort is put on hold. But solving the murder turns out to be the best way for her to find her way back to the truth of own her life. And, you root for her the whole way, even when she’s had a toke or a bit too much to drink.
The second star in this book is the setting. Beth Everett effortlessly weaves in delightfully rich details about the natural world of Lake Montego. I feel as if I have now spent time there, and, with a certain wistfulness, I wish I return again to glide across the lake and take in the stars at night.
DEAD ON THE DOCK is a finely written and engaging mystery that reminds us all about the dangers of secrets and the power of love.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

At a summer camp in upstate New York, a contrary older lady, Emily, is pushed and left to die on a lake dock. Lee Harding comes to the camp every year and tries to help the police figure out who in the camp killed the old lady and there are plenty of suspects because no one liked her. Lee, who is experiencing turmoil in her marriage, wants to enjoy the tranquility of her favorite getaway but loud neighbors, state of her marriage, and Emily's death create conflict in this normally peaceful refuge.

This was my first time reading a book by this author and I really liked it. The author described the camp site so beautifully that I seriously wanted to be there! And I can't even swim, much less paddle a boat. The setting simply sounded wonderful. I liked the author's writing style. The book was easy to read and the interactions with all the fellow campers held my interest. I missed the first book in this series and I certainly want to read it too.

I received this book in a Goodreads giveaway. The opinion is my own and not influenced by anyone.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. Her introduction to each character was so real I felt a strong connection to each one. I love the way she makes you feel as if you are there with Lee in the hot humid East Coast weather (now I have to plan a vacation there), the scenery and what it is like to be Lee. I was so engrossed in this book. The death of a marriage, person on the dock and friendships. I was so attached and felt the pain of each one as Lee moved through her emotions. This is a great read! Beth Everett better write the next one soon - I can't wait!!

[Ab · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like this author, I like how she writes, I like her humor. I enjoyed her first book, Death on Alder. I was looking for more in this book, and what I got was a repeat of Lee's experience in San Francisco but in New York.
I really want to read a good mystery, a little suspense, some surprise. I want to see where Lee goes, I look forward to being pulled in by the next installment.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a huge fan of Ms.Everett's work I was lucky enough to receive an advanced copy of her newest book. I couldn't put it down. The writing is crisp and engaging. Pick up a copy and follow Lee into a watery world of friendly deception and calculated murder.

[April · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I'm looking forward to reading more like this from Beth. This was a win on goodreads giveaways.

[Beth Yeary]

Thanks to Goodreads, I read this book. It was a decent read, but with a bit too much soul searchfor me. My favorite characters were Stan, the snapping turtle, and Freddie.

[Deborah Amos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good read! Love the way you don't want to put it down cause you just may miss something that happens. Now I want to try some caramels! LOL!

[Jim Rentze · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed it thoroughly. Even though it basically takes place in one location the interaction between the characters is extremely interesting.

[Marilyn Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dead on the Dock is a good mystery with lots of suspects. Lee Harding is having a marriage crisis. She takes some time to go to their rental cabin at the lake by herself for some rest, canoe paddling, pot smoking and girl time with her lake friends. A murder turns her vacation upside down and sends her husband running to protect her. She helps the local police solve the case.
Thanks to author Beth Everett and Goodreads.com for opportunity to win, read, and review this book.