Berried to the Hilt is book 4 of the Gray Whale Inn cozy mystery series by Karen MacInerney. The setting is what I like best about the series – The Gray Whale Inn is a bed-and-breakfast inn on Cranberry Island in Maine. Proprietor Natalie Barnes fled a failed engagement and hectic life in Texas to pursue her dream of owning and operating a B&B in Maine. 'What were you thinking?' It was a question I had often asked myself, over the last few years, ever since I quit my job, sold my house, and plunked down my life savings on the gray-shingled inn on Cranberry Island, Maine. As gorgeous as the locale was - after more than a decade in sun-baked Texas, I was still awed by the beauty of the mountains across the water, their granite shoulders now swathed in the brilliant golds and russets of early October--starting a bed and breakfast had been fraught with challenges. But Charlene wasn't referring to my decision to gamble my life savings on a house on an island. Nor was she talking about my recent transition from bed-and-breakfast to full-service inn, which, even with help, was turning out to be a more-than-full-time job.Every installment of the series has 2 key parallel plots: • a story highlighting the cozy small-town atmosphere and quirky residents of Cranberry Island• a murder mystery featuring off-islandersThe islanders plot in Berried to the Hilt is the annual Cranberry Island bake-off. Natalie volunteered to be the judge, and is besieged by islanders bringing baked goods in advance, trying to influence her decision.When a sunken ship is discovered off Deadman’s Shoal, and may be the legendary Black Marguerite of pirate Davey Blue, marine archaeologists flock to the island, staying at the Gray Whale Inn. Natalie can sure use the business, as summer is definitely over and the tourist trade minimal. But two rival groups are there for the ship: university archaeologists keen on preserving historical artifacts, and a commercial salvage company, eager to plunder for treasure.When one of the off-islanders is murdered, with a weapon thought to be Davey Blue’s sword, the police suspect islander Eleazer. Natalie, convinced Eleazer was framed, is determined to find the real killer.Familiar characters are back: John, Natalie’s steadfast fiancé, who saves her life yet again; Natalie’s niece Gwen, living with her to study art and be near her lobsterman Adam; and Charlotte, gossip queen of the island and best friends with Natalie. "Visitors were always a bit surprised when Charlene stepped out of the hunk of 1950s-era steel she drove around the island. The truck, whose original color was indeterminable, gave the general impression of a junkyard refugee held together by duct tape. In contrast, Charlene usually looked like she'd stepped out of the pages of a fashion magazine. Today, she wore a hot pink trench coat that hugged her curves, and her hair was swept back in a stylish updo."The series is an enjoyable read in a lovely setting.“The fall air was bracing, and I shoved my gloved hands into my pockets as I followed Eleazer down the walkway to the dock. The grass had turned the pale yellow I'd always thought of as winter wheat, and across the dark blue water, the pink granite mountains glowed in the afternoon sun. ... I turned to watch the island as we pulled away. The gray-shingled inn nestled into the hillside, its mullioned windows gleaming in the sun. A few orange and gold chrysanthemums bloomed in the window boxes, not yet felled by the frost; behind the inn, tall pine trees stood on the gentle rise of the hill, as they had for hundreds of years.”Each time I read a book of the series, I wish I could stay at the Gray Whale Inn too.“As the smell of fresh-baked rolls mingled with the smell of ginger from the cookies I'd slid into the oven, I glanced out the window at the dark green pines at the end of the driveway. The copper-tinged blueberry bushes made a gorgeous autumnal carpet at their feet, and a white gull hovered overhead. As mercurial as the business of owning an inn was, I couldn't think of anywhere I'd rather be.”Recipes include: Me-Maw's Gingersnaps, Down East Clam Chowder, To-Die-For Glazed Apple Streusel Muffins, Luscious Lemon-Berry Bundt Cake, Cranberry Island Cod Cakes with Lemon Mayonnaise, Emmeline's Award-Winning Cranberry Streusel Cake, Natalie's Caramelized Overnight French Toast. This is the fourth installment in the Gray Whale Inn mysteries, and Natalie's new relationship with Marge is one of the best parts of the book. Marge is becoming a likeable character, and I look forward to getting to know her better. Natalie is grateful to have some guests at the inn during a usually slow time of year. The guests are working to identify the discovery of a shipwrecked site. A disappointment in this book is the early emergence of "whodunit;" it's not much of a mystery. But Cranberry Island is still a place I would like to go sometime, and Natalie and her friends are still people I want to see again.
What do You think about Berried To The Hilt (2010)?
A fun read---makes you want to go to a Maine island Inn-especially if it has this delicious food!
—Taylor
