Evil by the Sea

By the Sea Mystery #4

by Kathleen Bridge

Liz Holt is bewitched, bothered, and bewildered when a wicked killer objects to a wiccan wedding . . .

Island life can get pretty weird. Wiccan weddings, psychic brides, mermaid parades, eccentric parrots . . . Novelist Liz Holt has gotten used to it since moving back to the barrier island of Melbourne Beach, Florida, and once again working in her family's hotel and emporium, the Indialantic by the Sea. But one thing she'll never get used to is murder.

Groom-to-be and leader of the Sunshine Wiccan Society, white warlock Julian Rhodes is poisoned at his rehearsal dinner on the hotel's sightseeing cruiser. His psychic bride, Dorian Starwood, never saw it coming. An old friend of Liz's great-aunt Amelia, the celebrity psychic engages Liz to find out who intended to kill her intended. With her Macaw, Barnacle Bob, squawking "Pop Goes the Weasel" at Dorian's pet ferret, and the streets teeming with mermaids in tails, Liz has got to wade through the weirdness and cast a wide net for the killer—before she's the next one to sleep with the fishes . . .

Recipes included!

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Cozy, Fiction, Contemporary

235 pages, Paperback

First published May 5, 2020

About the author

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kathleen Bridge, national bestselling author of The Hamptons Home and Garden Mystery Series and The By The Sea Mystery Series. She is a member of Sisters in Crime, Mystery Writers of America. Kathleen is also an antiques and vintage dealer and lives on the Central East Coast of Florida. www.kathleenbridge.com

Reviews

[Darinda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Liz, a novelist and amateur sleuth, works at her family's hotel and emporium. In this book, a Wiccan wedding is planned at the Indialantic by the Sea. Unfortunately, the groom dies at the rehearsal dinner. Liz investigates to find the killer.

The 4th book in the By the Sea mystery series. I recommend reading this series in order. There are a number of characters, and their relationships progress through the series.

An entertaining cozy mystery series. Quirky characters. Charming setting. Fun and light read. A recommended read for fans of cozy mysteries.

I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Linda Langford · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m hooked on the By the Sea Mystery series! This fourth story is fun and compelling as protagonist Liz Holt assists her Aunt Amelia in hosting a wedding party at their beachside hotel in Melbourne Beach, Florida. One of Amelia’s old friends is in danger. I always enjoy the regular cast of eccentric characters who must mix with the small pool of suspects in this intriguing cozy. If you enjoy beach settings, quirky characters, and pets in your cozy reading, EVIL BY THE SEA should be on your Wish List! Savory recipes are provided after the story.

I honestly reviewed a digital arc provided by NetGalley and Kensington Lyrical. Thank you.

[beachbum bookworm · Rating 2 out of 5]

New Adventure:

Where: Melbourne Beach, Florida

Who: Liz and the gang


My first visit to Indialantic by the Sea...a hotel and emporium. The hotel was owned by Liz’s family, and I was invited to the wedding of Julian Rhodes and Dorian Starwood. Dorian was a longtime friend of Liz’s great aunt Amelia. At the rehearsal dinner the groom to be is poisoned, and Liz’s sets out to solve the crime…..


My thoughts:

I have never read a book by this author. The premise was interesting. The writing is done well...lots of details and great imagery. That being said...

There was TOO much going on in this book!!! Too many characters...just too much! It also seemed absurd that the bride to be... a psychic...didn’t see the murder coming. Lol

For more book fun check out my blog @: http://beachbumbookworm.com/

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. I would like to thank Netgalley, the author Kathleen Bridge, and the publisher for this opportunity.

[Gloria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Evil by the Sea, the fourth in the By the Sea Mystery series, is a great addition to this series that is fun to read with the coastal setting on the barrier island of Melbourne Beach on the Atlantic coast side of Florida. Author Liz Holt grew up living the at Indialantic by the Sea, a closed old resort owned by her great-aunt Amelia Holt, former television and commercial star from the mid 20th century. She moved back to the resort a year ago after living in Manhattan. Amelia is just one of the interesting and colorful characters who live in the old resort on the beach. Amelia's close friend and famous psychic, Dorian Starwood, is engaged to a much younger man, Julian Rhodes, a white warlock/witch and the wedding is to take place at the resort. But the wedding didn't take place because the groom was poisoned by someone. There is a pool of possible suspects, including Dorian's two adult children, her accountant, Julian's "cousin," and others. Liz and her PI boyfriend work together with her attorney dad and his Sheriff Detective fiancee' to find who could be the killer. With the setting and great characters, including Amelia's Macaw, BB, this is a fun story to read, especially for a beach read.
I received a complimentary ARC from Kensington Books through NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine only.

[JoAn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Evil by the Sea by Kathleen Bridge is the fourth book in her By the Sea series and was another stellar story by Ms. Bridge. I was drawn into the story from the first page.

I love each one of these characters and look forward to each new addition. Aunt Amelia is quirky and fun. I enjoy the numerous references to the television shows and actors that Amelia was a part of during her prolific acting career. Liz has grown so much in each one of these books. I like to see her coming out of shell. A quickly paced plot, several suspects and a few twists and turns that lead to a dramatic resolution. I'm already looking forward to the next one in this series.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book from Lyrical Underground via NetGalley. All of the above opinions are my own.

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Evil by the Sea earns 5/5 Mermaid Tails...Engaging Fun!

I am a fan of Kathleen Bridge’s A By the Sea Mystery series, and book four with its mermaid legends, solstice celebration, and Wicca wedding was way too fascinating to pass up. Newbies can start her, but do ready the rest of the series to see how characters have evolved and predicaments are solved. Liz and the staff at the Indialantic by the Sea Hotel and Emporium are all excited and very busy with the annual Mystical Merfest approaching and Aunt Amelia’s long-time friend Dorian Starwood’s Wicca wedding. Mermaid folklore makes it the perfect theme for wearing costumes and reveling. Dory is a very famous, and wealthy, psychic who is set to marry the much younger Julian Rhodes, a white warlock and Wiccan leader of the Sunshine Wicca Society. They met only a few months ago, and his preference for a small, intimate ceremony isn’t quite what Dorian wanted. But her vision, or dream, has her more anxious than the proverbial “pre-wedding jitters.” It’s the least of everyone’s worries with the appearance of an uninvited guest, a dark figure skulking around the property, Dorian’s son and daughter far from best friends, and then...at the rehearsal dinner cruise, the groom ends up dead!

The drama is well-written in a third-person narrative filled with descriptive language creating marvelous images and entangled in secrets, family issue, greed, and several business issues. Although the murder mystery occurs later than I prefer, it was excellent fun to try and weed through all the suspects...with an ultimate surprise ending! It’s the characters about whom I look forward reading. Liz is great, bruised a bit from her past, but she’s strong, clever, and a realistic lead. Family is fun, (I love Aunt Amelia). The “fur” and “feather” friends play prominent roles, too, whether to assist, rescue, or just mess things up; they are lots of fun, especially Barnacle Bob! Great tale with a karmic twist! Bonus! Kathleen Bridge provides a delicious bonus with three easy-to-follow recipes. It’s exciting that the recipes aren't random, but actually connected to Sam’s Island Eats Food Truck: Savory Grilled Cheese, Chicken Sandwich, and Apple Pie Fries.

Disclosure: I received an ARC from the Kensington thru NetGalley. My review is voluntary with honest insights and comments.

[Peggy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoy this series and was happy to dive into an ARC of the next book. Ms. Bridge has written a wonderful cast of diverse, quirky characters and set them in a great setting - the Icelandic by the Sea. I was engaged from the start and was happy to catch up with Liz, Ryan and the rest of the gang. Once again, there is a murder at the hotel and Liz is determined to solve it for Dorian - a close friend of her great Aunt Amelia. Each character is developing and growing nicely. The relationships between the cast of characters are warm and genuine. I enjoy Liz as a sleuth, but sometimes she can be just a bit nosy which results in getting herself in trouble.

The mystery was well done. The victim was not well-liked and came off a rude before he was bumped off. While the suspect pool is small, the author does a nice job of creating enough doubt that as a reader I was never quite sure if I guessed the identity of the killer correctly. There was a nice little twist thrown in at the end that I didn't anticipate, which is always nice.

This is a terrific series. It has great characters, solid mystery and is an easy, fun read.

I voluntarily reviewed a digital advanced review copy provided to me by the publisher, Kensington, through Netgalley.

[Carla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Liz Holt is a novelist and amateur sleuth who works at her family's hotel and emporium. In this book, a Wiccan wedding is planned at the Indialantic by the Sea. The rehearsal dinner starts off with an unwelcome relative, the groom reporting allergies and some uncomfortable comments to the bride. Unfortunately or fortunately depending upon what you think about the groom, he dies at the rehearsal dinner. Liz investigates to find the killer.

This is the fourth book in the By the Sea mystery series and my least favourite. I recommend reading this series in order. There are a number of characters, and their relationships progress through the series. Liz is a smart lady who works with her boyfriend, a private investigator to solve the murder. Other friends help out along the way. I enjoy the regulars in this story, some of them quite quirky and eccentric. Each book has additional characters who are involved in the mystery. This was a quickly paced story, with several suspects. There were a few twists and turns that lead to a dramatic reveal and conclusion. There is some humour in this story such as the Mermaid Parade and I love the references to old television show that Aunt Amelia played in, especially Dark Shadows, one that I used to watch afterschool each day. Overall an entertaining cozy that is a quick read with an interesting mystery.

I listened to the audiobook narrated by Lauren Ezzo. I listened to the first two books in this series also narrated by Ms. Ezzo and enjoy her narration. The voices she gives the characters adds to their personalities and to the story in general. She has good pacing and expression as well. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book upon request. The rating, ideas and opinions shared are my own.

[Bridget · Rating 5 out of 5]

Evil by the Sea is the fourth book in the 'By the Sea Mystery' series written by Kathleen Bridge. I have read the third instalment, Murder by the Sea, so I was delighted to dive into this one.

In this eccentric tale, novelist Liz Holt has moved back to the barrier island of Melbourne Beach, Florida, and is working again in her family's hotel and emporium, the Indialantic by the Sea. A wedding is due to take place at the hotel which is known for hosting events with unusual or wacky themes. The groom-to-be, white warlock Julian Rhodes, is the leader of the Sunshine Wiccan Society, but he is poisoned at his own rehearsal dinner on the hotel's sightseeing cruiser. Although she is a celebrity psychic, his intended, Dorian Starwood, did not foresee this happening and so enlists the help of Liz to apprehend the culprit, with delightful though potentially dangerous, consequences...

I adored this novel and in spite of the fast pacing, I had no trouble keeping up with the events and the characters! The author's writing style was comedic, easy and fun. Her characters are memorable, especially Great-aunt Amelia with her kooky personality traits, and most of the supporting characters played good parts, including Liz's garrulous parrot, Barnacle Bob.

The fantastic descriptive imagery by Kathleen Bridge of the island and the general locale helped to made this a compelling and bewitching tale. The mystery itself had ample misdirections and red herrings and I had a ball figuring things out as I puzzled over the clues.

With its great characters and a solid plot, this really is a splendid read and also a tremendous series. I highly recommend Evil by the Sea to those with a penchant for well-written cozy mysteries and I very much look forward to my next outing with Liz and her mouthy parrot!

I received a complimentary digital copy of this novel at my request from Kensington Books via NetGalley and this review is my unbiased opinion.

[Karen Stallman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Evil By The Sea” the 4th instalment in the (A by the Sea Mysteries Series) by Kathleen Bridge. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and plan on reading the complete series. Even though it can be read as a standalone I do recommend reading in order.

Even though this is the first book I have read in the series I was able to follow along easily and having the character list in the beginning really helped. I really enjoyed it and practically read in one sitting and have since purchased the other books in the series.

The protagonist Liz is really likeable and the rest of the eccentric family characters at the Indialantic were fun, plus I loved all the fur babies. The barrier island of Melbourne Beach, Florida and the Indialantic seemed fun and an interesting place to visit or even live.

There are plenty of twists and turns in this story, and I kept guessing and second-guessing myself on whodunnit right to the very end. The story moves at a steady pace, and I had a hard time putting it down.

I recommend this book to all my cozy lover friends, and fans of Kathleen Bridge’s A Hamptons Home & Garden Mystery series.

I requested and received an advance reader copy of this book from Lyrical Press and Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Rosemary K · Rating 5 out of 5]

Liz Holt, a writer, is living in Melbourne Beach Florida at the family run hotel. Her Aunt Amelia is here at the Indialantic Hotel. Liz loves her. When her Aunt's psychic,Dorian Starwood, and her Wiccan fiancée decided to hold their nuptials at the hotel, Aunt Amelia is thrilled. It will be a very special event. However, plans change when the groom-to-be is murdered. The police are at the hotel investigating the crime. Liz wants to help her Aunt so she and her PI boyfriend start looking into Julian's murder. Did someone want the white warlock dead or were they trying to kill Dorian? All the suspects were at the hotel. Liz knows that she can help by questioning those people with motives. Ryan is there to assist and keep Liz safe. I liked all the characters especially Aunt Amelia. Her stories about being a character actress in 1960s television kept me entertained. I remember the shows she mentioned which brought back happy memories, but the mystery kept me reading. The twists were plentiful and so were the suspects. I didn't know until the very end who committed the crime. Kathleen Bridge has a fast paced and exciting writing style that I enjoyed. The setting was beautiful, the hotel enchanting and the mystery puzzling. I couldn't ask for more.
I received a copy of this book which I voluntarily read and reviewed. My comments are my honest opinion.

[Toni · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Stars

This is the fourth book in the A By The Sea Mystery series by Kathleen Bridge

Basic premise: There is going to be a Wiccan wedding at the Indialantic and before the ceremony can even start, the groom ends up dead.

I thought this was pretty good. Auntie Amelia is constantly giving us mid-century television icon images for everyone in sight when she isn’t telling us about her star status back in the day when she was a sought after tv bit part actress.

The mystery here is probably more complex than the previous books. I was able to focus more on the whodunit action since I was already used to the ravings of Liz’s aunt and other things that seemed to knock the story off track. Loved the whole wiccan storyline and how it played out. I felt like this was much easier to grasp than the second book in the series which I read right before this one. (I read book three last year sometime.)

The cast grows on you and once you know what to expect, the story is easier to follow. Definitely will keep up with the series even if certain aspects kind of turn you off after awhile. Auntie Amelia can be overkill sometimes.

I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in return for an honest review. I thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title.

[Kristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading a book in this series is like spending an evening with old friends...and playing a murder mystery game. I really enjoy the books in this series and this one did not disappoint. Great mystery that kept me guessing until the end. Couldn't put it down.

[The Cozy Review · Rating 4 out of 5]

From Lyrical Underground comes a new addition to Kathleen Bridge's "A By The Sea Mystery" series, Evil By The Sea.

Aunt Amelia may not be the main character, but she is the most interesting. Her way of referring back to her heyday as a movie and television star whenever an odd occurrence comes up, or a murder investigation keeps readers smiling. In this quirky cozy, most of the characters have great personalities and are more than willing to lend a helping hand when Liz gets involved with solving a crime.

I say that this book is a quirky cozy because it doesn't fit into any particular genre within cozy book categories. It is a standard murder mystery, a paranormal mystery but has no ghosts, and even a witchcraft based mystery all rolled into one. All of these things are also what makes this book a page-turner and hard to put down.

Evil By The Sea is an adventure where nothing is as it seems. We have psychics who apparently can't really see the future but are good at guessing. We have business owners who are willing to overlook the obvious and do whatever is needed to keep their guests happy and paying their bills. To say the least, the characters are quirky, or maybe I should say they are oddballs in every way, which makes them a delight to read about. The victim is not liked but not necessarily a bad guy. The suspects are all a little demonish worthy, and when the killer is revealed, it comes as no big surprise to the reader, but a massive surprise to some of the characters.

All in all, this cozy book stands on its own, has great entertainment value, and keeps the story in line and on target. Readers will love the characters and the location and will crave more. I am happy to recommend this book and series to readers who delight in quirky stories and fun-filled action.

[Marilyn Watson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kathleen Bridge writes a Community of People we all would love to know. Liz Holt has moved home to the Indiatlantic Inn, which is a Hotel and Emporium, in Melbourne Beach, Florida that her Family owns. Dorian Starwood, with hair that contains glittery strands of metallic green, pink, and gold has been her Aunt's Psychic for over twenty years and now she is having a second, small, wedding.The Groom is Wiccan Leader, Julian Rhodes. Liz's Aunt is a double for Esmeralda in Bewitched including eye liner and curls. During the Mystical Merafest, tents are set up for Sirens by the Sea, Delicacies By the Sea, and many others but there is Murder afoot. Liz had better get busy before she ends up as the next body.

This is a lovely trip to quirky characters, psychics, incense, and a fabulous cast of characters. If I hadn't run into some of these people in Florida I might think I was in the 1970's. It makes me want to get out my beads, wear patchouli and join them. But with murder, delicious food, beautiful vistas, creative characters, a Parrot and a Ferret - the understated humor is a winner for this Mystery. Five Stars

My thanks to Netgalley and Kensington Books

[Annarella · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's always great to be back to Indialantic hotel and meet again the cast of quirky characters.
This was a gripping and highly entertaining read, full of twists and turns.
The plot is complex and well told, the characters are as interesting as usual, the mystery is solid and kept me guessing.
I strongly recommend it.
Many thanks to Kensington Books and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the fourth book in the series, but the first I have read.
Eccentric and interesting characters and a well written whodunit.
I will have to read the previous books now.
I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.

[Cozy Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my favorite cozy series that I always read cover to cover with each new release. This is the fourth in series . I recommend this series for all cozy mystery readers very highly. The author has created a outstanding group of charcters that have you laughing out loud and turning pages into the night. The setting of a coastal inner island life is perfectly atmospheric and fun to experience through the author. I loved this series and hope it will continued for many books to come ! This next in series has the perfect name for the next mystery in this enjoyable series.

What fun this next in series was and the perfect read for difficult times to sweep you away !
Liz Holt has moved home to the Indiatlantic Inn, which is a Hotel and Emporium, in Melbourne Beach, Florida that her Family owns. Liz loves her life and working for her family. She is also quite skilled at solving murders. She is a likable fun protagnist that I always enjoy returning to in this series. The community is eclectic and the people are fun.

Many charcters return in this book that we followers of the series adore. Liz has a exotic Aunt who is prone to lots of eyeliner and curls. Her Aunt;s friend and long time psychic Dorian Starwood is having a wedding and the groom is Julian a local Wiccan leader. When a murder occurs of Julian the groom of course Liz and friends must solve the murder before one of them is in danger. Liz and her trusty sidekick her Macaw parrot together again among their group of 'colorful" charcters must find the suspect among all the red herrings along the way.

The mermaid parade was fun to read about, the town is always a delight to return to. The sleuth is well crafted to conclusion and enjoyable fun . I look forward to the next in series. I highly recommend this series for your reading enjoyment and what a perfect antidote to pandemic stress !

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

What can be more fun than to escape to the Indialantic Hotel on Melbourne Beach, Florida and spend time with Liz and her great aunt Amelia plus a wonderful cast of hotel residents and locals. Just what I needed in these trying times. Liz is working hard to make the Mermaid Parade and festival a roaring success and one of her great aunt Amelia's long time friends is going to have her wedding there. Sounds normal but, in the world of the Indialantic Hotel, normal takes a back seat. The bride is a psychic senior citizen who is going to marry a white warlock, leader of the Sunshine Wiccan Society. Oh and he's twenty-five years her junior. What could possibly go wrong? Plenty. The list of people who have a beef with him is longer than Barnacle Bob's tail feathers. (I love that Macaw) The soon to be dead groom is hiding something - he's insistent on having a very small wedding, that only a tiny group join them for their night before the wedding boat cruise and even his bride is being controlled. There is something fishy going on and it comes as no surprise that he dies at dinner.
There are a lot of characters but it's not hard to keep them straight. The puzzle is wonderfully intricate with twists and turns and blind alleys to stumble down in the readers quest to figure out who dunnit. It did take the first 25% of the book to get to the killing but there was a lot to set up and I was fine with that.
This is the fourth book in the series and I would say it can be read as a stand alone but a new reader would get much more out of the connections between the characters if they start with the first book. I already have a spot on my TBR list for book #5.
My thanks to the publisher Lyrical Press and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

[Melissa Castor · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun story set on a beautiful barrier island of Florida! Liz’s aunt’s hotel, The Indialantic By the Sea, is hosting the wedding of Aunt Amelia’s old psychic friend, Dorian, and her groom-to-be, Julian, who is part of the Sunshine Wiccan Society. Things don’t start off well when Julian, Dorian’s children, Dorian’s money advisor, and Julian’s supposed cousin, Wren, all arrive. With the mermaid festival going on at the same time, it’s a lot for Aunt Amelia and Liz to handle. During the wedding rehearsal dinner on the inn’s boat, Julian ends up dead. Now, Liz and her boyfriend, Ryan, as well as inn resident, Betty, are looking into all of the guests and Julian to see who could have killed the man. Julian had seemed controlling and the Wiccan Society seemed to be a bit suspicious as well. I love this charming little beach inn and Liz and Aunt Amelia. It sounds like a wonderful place to visit. This mystery was definitely intriguing and had me guessing which one of the wedding guests could have been the killer. I look forward to more stories at the Indialantic and seeing what’s next for Liz, Aunt Amelia, Ryan, and the rest of the group at the inn.

[Jennie Seaman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am thoroughly enjoying this series and its cast of amazing characters at the Indialantic by the Sea.

Liz and her Aunt Amelia are helping host the wedding of a long-time family friend, psychic Dorian Starwood, and the leader of the Sunshine Wiccan Society, Julian Rhodes. But when the groom is found dead at the rehearsal dinner, can Liz find out who killed him before something else happens?

I adore Liz as a character so much! She has a great personality, and I love that she is a writer. I also like her relationship with Ryan the private investigator. I like that Ryan allows Liz to be herself and doesn't try to make her stop being curious. I love all of the other characters in this book. They all fit so well together. The twist at the end took me by surprise. I had no idea how this book was going to end, and I loved that. It kept me guessing the whole time! Overall, this was a fun read and I can't wait to see what's next in this series!

*eARC provided in exchange for an honest review*

[Susan Johnston · Rating 5 out of 5]

Princess Fuzzypants here: Liz, best selling author, is doing well settling back into island life at her family’s Indialantic hotel after her harrowing and high publicized life threatening attack. She is surrounded by people who love her but this idyllic scene is once again disturbed by murder.
This time it is the groom to be of a long time family friend who happens to be a psychic. The pre-wedding luncheon is where the white witch groom meets his maker. With the multi-decade difference in ages, there are members of both sides of the bridal party who have reasons for not wanting the marriage to take place. Who had the motive and means and the knowledge to carry out this complicated and deadly scheme?
As the story evolves, it is not what the reader suspects in the beginning and the motives turn out to be highly complex and decidedly twisted. There was this aha moment close to the end when the connection becomes clear but it was unexpected until then. I loved it.
Five purrs and two paws up.

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Evil by the Sea is the 4th book in the A By the Sea Mystery Series and the first of the series that I've read. Liz Holt helps run her family's Florida resort and is also a novelist and amature sleuth. He boyfriend is a PI, her Great Aunt Amelia is a former actress with so many fabulous stories and her Aunt's friend Dorian is a famous psychic. They both add a lot of depth to the story along with their unique pets. The plot centers around Dorian's wedding to a younger man named Julian who is the head of a Wiccan community. The days leading up to the wedding were full of suspicious activity surrounding Julian, Dorian receiving threatening letters, the interactions with her adult children and the arrival of a woman associated with Julian named Wren. Julian winds up dead at the rehearsal dinner and Liz decides to try and find out who is behind it. The book had a lot of fun interactions and characters, there was some exciting action and I enjoyed the read.

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

It all happens at a beautiful restored family hotel on one of the barrier islands of Florida. Mystery novelist Liz whose love interest is a PI, her father is a lawyer, his fiancee who is a police detective, her own rescued parrot (prone to voicing obscenities), but it's her Aunt Amelia who was an actress in many of the mid century TV shows whose friend is remarrying to a rather inauspicious but charismatic much younger man that is the center of all the activity. The publisher's blurb is a pretty good hook, but there's lots more to recommend the plot with its twists and red herrings than meets the eye. I admit that I enjoyed another in the series, but there is enough clear referencing to make this one enjoyable all by itself! I loved it and couldn't stop until finished!
I requested and received a free ebook copy from Kensington Books/Lyrical Press via NetGalley. Thank you!

[Kathleen Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh dear, the groom is poisoned at his rehearsal dinner and his bride to be- a psychic- didn't see it coming! We're back at the Indiaatlantic Hotel with Liz and her great aunt Amelia and there's a lot going on. Julian was not a nice man but Dorian, his fiancé, is Amelia's BFF so of course Kate and company are going to investigate. Amelia is a hoot, Kate is intrepid, and there's a subplot involving Wicca (Julian was a warlock). This is a romp, with a plot that's not too twisty, good beach atmospherics, and fun characters (including Kate's love interest Ryan). Don't worry if you haven't read the earlier ones- this should be fine as a standalone (although admittedly it might take a minute to sort the characters). Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A classic cozy and a great diversion from the news.

[Monica · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Indialantic by the Sea hotel is getting ready to host a wedding. Auntie’s friend plans to marry a younger man who claims to be a white witch. Though the wedding party is small, there is such a huge amount of strange things happening around them. All of the quirky characters we’ve come to love return for this fun adventure. The setting is someplace I would definitely love to visit and I love how the characters work together to find clues and solve the mystery. So many fun quirky characters and their quirky animal sidekicks, including a visiting ferret. Definitely read the series in order to enjoy getting to know the characters. I love this series and am looking forward to their next adventure.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 4th installment of A By the Sea Mystery Series. Liz Holt is a mystery novelist who is working at her family resort on the barrier island of Melbourne Beach Florida. Her Great Aunt Amelia is a former actress of many tv shows from days gone by and one of her friends Dorian who is a celebrity psychic is planning a much younger man who is the head of a Wiccan society. Unfortunately, he is poisoned and the rehearsal dinner (guess her abilities did not pick up on that) and she wants Liz to help figure out who did it. There are a lot of eccentric characters including Liz’s parrot who is pretty foul mouthed. This is a mystery which has humor and is a quick enjoyable read.

[NhaughtyV says Damn the Zon Save the Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Was looking for something different to read during this lockdown crisis, and the cover and blurb caught my eye. While reading, I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this eccentric cast of characters that made for a fun grown up Nancy Drew type mystery! Evil by the Sea is the first whodunit I’ve read by this author, and look forward to investigating more of her stories! Would recommend to fans of this genre!

**I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book that I received via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own. **

[Patty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Evil by the Sea by Kathleen Bridge is the 4th book in the By the Sea Mystery series, and another great book. Novelist, Liz Holt is now living in her home town of Melbourne Beach, Florida, she had been living in New York, and she's happy to be home and be with family and friends. Dorian Starwood, an old friend of Liz's great-aunt Amelia is getting married at their family's hotel and emporium, the Indialantic by the Sea. The Groom to be is a warlock Julian Rhodes, leader of Sunshine Wiccan Society, and not a very nice man. When Julian is poisoned and dies at the rehersal dinner, Liz will get to the bottom of the case. There are twists and turns around every corner. I found this book to be a quick read, with a well developed plot and characters. If you love fun cozy mysteries, I strongly recommend this book/series. I am anxiously waiting for the next book in the series. 
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Lindsay Porter · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of my favorite series and thanks to Netgalley for the newest in the series. Evil by the Sea is the fourth in the series. A wedding has come to the Indialantic. Or does it? Of course there's a murder and Liz and Ryan are all set to investigate. The descriptions of this hotel make me want to visit. The animals, especially BB, are a delightful addition to every book. A definite must read.