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Cedar Bay #14

Murder at the Gearhart

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Dead chefs can't cook.

From USA Today and Amazon Chart #1 Bestselling Author comes the fourteenth book in this popular cozy mystery series. Free with Kindle Unlimited.

When Kelly finds the murdered body of Chef Jessup in the kitchen refrigerator, she has no choice but to fill in as the head chef for the prestigious James Beard Dinner honoring the legendary chef at the historic Gearhart Hotel. She was only planning on being the sous-chef.

But who would have a motive for killing the renowned chef? The well-known food critic of The Oregonian? The owner of The Rotunda Hotel who owed money to men in Las Vegas? The chef’s ex-husband, who resented her success? The San Francisco chef who wanted the recipes she’d been given by James Beard’s mentor? Or the man who had decided he was James Beard’s incarnation? Or even the massage therapist who was involved with The Rotunda Hotel's wife?

Join Kelly, Sheriff Mike, and their dog, Rebel, on a vacation that turns into a hunt for a killer.

153 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 15, 2018

477 people are currently reading
146 people want to read

About the author

Dianne Harman

306 books616 followers

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5 stars
327 (65%)
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125 (24%)
3 stars
43 (8%)
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4 (<1%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
Profile Image for Deb.
825 reviews27 followers
April 13, 2020
A quick cozy mystery. This one was okay. There was really nothing too mysterious about it. This book helped pass a couple of hours while self-quarantining.
Profile Image for Stephen.
Author 4 books21 followers
October 20, 2018
I enjoy reading cozy murder mysteries -- neither too much gore nor too much pain and suffering -- and I enjoy cozy culinary murder mysteries -- involving some part of the food industry -- and I enjoy cozy culinary murder mysteries with a local setting -- the Pacific Northwest or Hawaii. "Murder at the Gearheart" seemed to tick all the boxes, being a story about a hotel chef killed in her kitchen in a hotel on the Oregon coast. The book was, however, disappointing. It appears that this book is self-published. In the front matter, the author thanks "Vivek" and "Connie" for preparing the book for publication; two glaring typographical errors promptly appear on pages 1 and 9. The story is not really a mystery nor is there much solving occurring on its pages. It is more like a murder is committed and the protagonist -- also a chef -- investigates, as a sort of assistant to her husband, a police officer, who fills in for the local sheriff, who is occupied with a family emergency. He doesn't figure out much; she doesn't figure out much. She just happens to be in the right place at the right time -- to overhear a luncheon conversation, to be told things by hotel employees that they would never actually tell anyone, to be staying in the hotel room directly across the hall from a suspect's room -- and sort of stumbles into whodunit. The saddest part of all is in Chapter 6 where the protagonist fills in for the murdered chef and produces a James-Beard-themed dinner for one hundred. This afforded the author an opportunity to describe in exciting detail the preparation of each course and to dwell lovingly on the results ... which just didn't happen. One of the conventions of cozy culinary mysteries is that they contain recipes and this one does: recipes for several of the dishes mentioned in the text are included as an addendum.
Profile Image for Michele.
1,852 reviews62 followers
June 19, 2018
That really was a really nice and thoughtful birthday present that Kelly's husband got her--and really perfect-----until the unthinkable happens. Kelly was accepted to be the sou chef at the James Beard dinner (her husband managed to do this!). Kelly was scared but exited.

THEN--they got to the Gearhart hotel where the dinner was being held. Kelly went down to meet the Chef-but no one seemed to be in the kitchen. Kelly figured-well maybe she is in the freezer and could not hear her name being called--Kelly opened the freezer door---Chef Jessup had been stabbed in the back and was dead. But the dinner had to go on.

AND the murderer had to be found. Of course Kelly and her husband had no choice but to get involved--even Rebel their older Boxer who they decided to take with them had a part to play.

So many suspects--so little time--

The recipes which are included are really temptingly mouth watering!!
Murder at the Gearhart
490 reviews
June 20, 2018
I thoroughly enjoy all of Dianne Harman’s books. I have read all of the books in this series. I own and love boxers so I am partial to this series. In this book Rebel, their boxer has an important role. This book was enjoyable, easy reading, and there was a murder to solve. A famous chef is killed and Kelly and her sheriff husband are pulled in to solve the murder. There are suspects but you don’t know til almost the end who it is. There is suspense and intrigue: Kelly
‘s life is held at gunpoint. Rebel guards a family whose lives are threatened. There are recipes , of course, at the back of the book. I can’t wait for the next book!
7,775 reviews50 followers
October 6, 2018
Kelly got a birthday,she had only dreamed about.Loving James Beards
recipes and using some in her coffee shop, and having his books. A gala dinner with his recipe would be at this famous hotel. He got them a two day stay at the hotel, with her helping the chef. Things change when Kelly went to the kitchen, finding the chef in the refrigerator. With the expert staff, all went on without a hitch. Mike was asked to step in with Kelly to help solve. A diary was kept with names, all was not roses for the chef. A delightful cozy story that flows to the end. With time we again enjoy with Kelly and Mike.
Profile Image for Judith.
85 reviews1 follower
August 2, 2018
I bought this book as a result of the authors pre-sale. I was excited for it come out as I had not read any of her other books. I have to say, it just seemed like a book I would have enjoyed when I was a teenager. It just had too many co-incidents throughout the entire story, not even close to what the first 48 hours of solving a crime in real life.
I see Ms. Harman has a lot of faithful followers, as much as I would like to try another of her books I feel like if they follow the same pattern I will leave the first to be the last.
375 reviews
February 4, 2020
A Good read but the killer was predictable

The read was a good wholesome read but with Bizzaro. Yes, the killer was predictable but some of the other characters in the victim's life gave me doubt. Kelly & Mac always find themselves in a murder, people open up to them, they have reliable connections, I liked Nikki a very strong woman, people do change and find happiness & cheers for Rebel! 😊
Profile Image for Cheryl.
1,174 reviews7 followers
May 9, 2020
This is the 14th in the series. The main characters are Kelly and hubby Sheriff Mike. As a birthday surprise for Kelly her hubby gets her a chance to sou-chef for Chef Sam at a James Beard night. When she gets there she finds the chef murdered. With the help of the chef's crew they get the dinner off and no one realizes the chef is dead. The Chief of police there asks for Mike's help and Mike with Kelly's help sets off the figure out what happened and who did it. Can she figure it out?
Profile Image for Roger.
5,685 reviews28 followers
Read
February 3, 2021
Murder at the Gearhart (Cedar Bay Mysteries, Book 14), my twelfth read/listen from author Dianne Harman and my fourth read in her Cedar Bay Mystery Series. Well-written and developed, a joy to read/listen to. I was given an Audible copy of this book & am voluntarily reviewing it. Kasey Logan's pleasant narration adds to an excellent book's enjoyment. I look forward to reading more in this series & from this author. (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018).
Profile Image for Colleen Harkleroad.
35 reviews
June 17, 2018
Who killed the Chief?.

I love this book the characters Kelly,and Mike Reynolds and there dog Rebel, how they always run in to a murder when all they want is to have a peaceful weekend they work well together to solve the crime. I can't wait for the next adventure with Mr. and Mrs. Reynolds
Profile Image for Geneva.
676 reviews8 followers
June 20, 2018
I have read Dianne Harman's books for the last 2 -3 years. Each series is a great read. The Cedar Bay Cozy, Kelly's Coffee Shop, regardless of where Kelly and Mike go, for a peaceful weekend, mini vacation, they find trouble. Leave it to Kelly to solve the case. They are so much fun to read. Rebel, the "guard" dog is a wonderful part of this book.
Patiently waiting on the next,!
1,031 reviews
April 1, 2019
Murder of a chef

Kelly and Mike are asked to help solve the murder of the chef Kelly was supposed to help for a major dinner. As this series goes on, Mike seems to accept Kelly's help more readily, and as a result she is less likely to get into danger because "he won't like it". I like these characters, and their relationship as they figure things out.
729 reviews7 followers
June 15, 2018
ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT!

I Love Kelly and Mike, not to mention the wonderful Rebel. It's so nice to sit down and read a book that has a mature couple that works together and truly care for and support each other. Three cheers for Dianne Harman.
Profile Image for Linda Rainey.
2,348 reviews21 followers
June 15, 2018
A Great Cozy

This was another enjoyable cozy mystery with Kelly ,Mike and Rebel,the Boxer.
I loved the storyline,and the intriguing characters.
This book is recommended for cozy mystery fans.
667 reviews8 followers
June 30, 2018
A Cedar Bay Cozy Mystery

This is another winner. I have read all her books and different series and enjoyed everyone and all her dogs. I highly recommend all her books to everyone who love cozy mysteries. The recipes are great too. Diana Romano
1,063 reviews4 followers
July 5, 2018
Great read

I love Kelly and Mike if your like me and love a great cozy with characters you will love and a story that keeps you turning the page then this one by Dianne Harman is a must read
Profile Image for Gail.
1,875 reviews17 followers
November 18, 2018
Great book

This is a wonderful book with in Dianne Harman's relaxing style. It is one you just curl up and enjoy. It had characters with depth and a plot to keep one trying to figure out who the murder could be.
Profile Image for Denota.
153 reviews2 followers
April 4, 2020
Great cooperation with this couple of crime fighters.

Another big from Dianne Harman. A well thought out story with many possibilities but only murderer. Following this step g couple work together to find the killer was inspiring. Well done, it keeps you guessing
1,033 reviews2 followers
April 9, 2020
I Love This Series!

So glad I discovered this author. Kelly and hubby Sheriff Mike are my favorite characters. People who love dogs are the best people. They can't seem to have a vacation without having to solve a murder.
Profile Image for Karen Matlack.
100 reviews2 followers
April 21, 2020
Another winner!

The idea of a cozy mystery is just what you need to take your mind off problems. The recipes in the back of the book are bonuses. Lots of fun to read. Pure enjoyment.
Profile Image for Joni.
659 reviews
June 18, 2020
Good book

Kelly spends more time in these last several books traveling than in her restaurant but always seems to be able to solve the murder. Great recipes in this book from the James Beard collection.
Profile Image for Tina.
1,034 reviews15 followers
June 20, 2021
James Beard and a Cozy Mystery

I learned a great deal about James Beard and had no idea he was born in Portland. The recipes in this series look wonderful. I hope the author puts out a cookbook or an index on where they can be found.
116 reviews
August 3, 2021
Fun cozy with mature heroes.

Really enjoyed listening to this book. It was a fun, quick, easy to follow cozy mystery. Heroes of the story are mature individuals with established careers and family.
894 reviews3 followers
October 14, 2023
Enjoyed reading this mystery. Being in Kelly's position was a huge undertaking and yet when people in the kitchen unite together, her job becomes much easier. Solving murders is Kelly's cup of tea even in a place she is not familiar with.
Profile Image for Marcia-Lee Finocchio.
604 reviews6 followers
June 20, 2018
Another fantastic story in this series. Mike and Kelly solve another murder mystery..as always just a wonderful read.
Profile Image for Linda Hall.
212 reviews2 followers
June 25, 2018
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more by this author.
Profile Image for Stephen Levesque.
2,839 reviews
July 13, 2018
It is very hard to put these books down when reading them. The author does such a great j0b with the characters and story, you'll keep reading until your finished. Great reading Everyone!
1,412 reviews16 followers
January 31, 2019
another great story in the series. love it , if you like suspense and romance you have to read the book
Profile Image for Genevieve.
1,373 reviews13 followers
September 15, 2019
Great Continuation

Great story. Fast paced fun story and the characters are simple, loving people that work to make this book really good. Love this series
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews

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