“Mayhem” introduces us to Bea Cartwright who has just opened a Bed and Breakfast (the Bea & Bees) in the small town of Put-In-Bay on South Bass Island which is twelve miles from the Ohio shore of Lake Erie. As the name implies, Bea hopes to have beehives in the backyard of her six-suite huge Victorian bed and breakfast.
The story opens with Bea and her two neighbors, Kate and Chandra (who are all 30-something), arguing in Mayor’s court about their various disputes. Bea is upset that Chandra allows her cat to run free to ruin Bea’s flower bed; Kate is mad at Chandra for playing music too loudly and chanting in her backyard. Chandra, who changed her name from Sandra, is somewhat of a free spirit. Kate also is complaining about Bea’s construction vehicles clogging up the small lane that runs to all of their houses.
Alvin, the mayor, finally decides to force the three women to learn to cooperate by ordering them to meet weekly in a book group. (This is an example of one very terrific community service!) This also conveniently saves the mayor’s wife’s public library that is in danger of losing funds from a bequest that required there be an active book group for the funds to continue.
Naturally, at the group’s first meeting, the neighbors are joined by an older woman, Luella (who actually wants to be a part of a reading group), they decide to read Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express, which foreshadows what will happen soon at the island’s new restaurant, the “Orient Express”. By the following week’s meeting, a blizzard has begun that had already closed the airport and the ferry. As expected in a murder mystery story, soon there is a murder (I guess I mean “mayhem”) at the “Orient Express” restaurant. And, everyone is stuck on the island with a murderer on the loose!
The blizzard leads to a power outage that knocks almost everybody’s lights and heat out on the island. Except, Bea’s bed and breakfast has an emergency generator (that works for a remarkably long time). So, before you know it, all the potential suspects and what will become the members of the “League of Literary Ladies” are all staying at the Bea and Bees.
This book is written in the first person from Bea’s point of view. It’s what I would call an old-fashioned page-turner. The setting (the island on the lake) is picturesque and unique, and the characters are different but not too zany. (You may know by now that I am not a fan of over-the-top zany.)
As is normal in a modern Cozy, there is a hint of romance that presumably will continue into the other books in the series. (No spoilers here!) The story is full of interesting twists, and it includes a secondary mystery about Bea’s past that is not solved fully in the first book. So, it creates a need to get going on reading book two!
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MJ says
I love this series! I probably have recommended each book. The mystery story lines are well plotted and move quickly. I really enjoy the humorous aspects to this series, too. This author always has a way to make the reader chuckle! She’s very creative.
Just an fyi – Bea’s secretive past isn’t revealed until the 4th book and it’s a shocker! Love it! SO-O-O different from most cozies. In addition, the potential love interest is also portrayed as having a ‘secretive past’, which is revealed in the 4th book.
As I said in my last recommendation, I hope she continues with many more books in this series. Most of her series end after 4 or 5 books. AND, she is starting a new series (which means she’ll be writing three current series).
Margaret StashEmpress says
I’ve been loving this series from the beginning. Also wondering when there would be the big “reveal” re Bea’s past. But there seemed to be enough hints —- is it NOT what we’re expecting??? (I have it on hold at the library, should be reading it this weekend if all goes well… 😉
MJ says
I don’t know what you were ‘expecting’, Margaret, mainly because I don’t ‘remember’ the hints!! A year is a long time in between books, OR……..I just could be dense. I’d have to go back an re-read the third book to pick up on the hints. More than likely they’re there and I forgot.
The author created an ingenious back story (which flows into the present), unlike any in other cozies I’ve read.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
MJ, now I’m really looking forward to And Then There Were Nuns! As usual, I’m not caught up with the current book…
PamB says
I, also, enjoy this series. I’ve only read the first two books but after MJ’s comment I’m going to read the next two after finishing what I’m reading as I’m anxious to find out the two reveals. Thanks MJ. And thank you, Danna, for your blogging all about cozies.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
PamB, I know, now I feel like I have to hurry and finish my current book so I can “get moving”!
Renae says
Anyone know why she quit writing the Pepper Martin series? I enjoyed reading those as well.
Judith says
At Malice Domestic, I thought I heard her say she was working on a new Pepper Martin book.
Liz says
There is a new Pepper Martin book coming out this fall.
Rebecca J. says
Hello! Will there be anymore books in this series? I love all your books and this was the first series I read, and I’m on my 3rd reread. I enjoy them so much! I am hoping there are more books in the future?
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Renae, Judith, and Liz, that may mean that we won’t be seeing as many of her other series. I haven’t read any Pepper Martin books yet, but it looks like you all think they’re really good…
Tibet says
Love this series and it takes place where I live, that makes it even more enjoyable. I have recommended this series to so many friends. This series should be read in order if you really want to enjoy. I really hope this series is continued, don’t want to be left hanging on Bea’s love life.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Tibet, I’m glad you posted how much you are enjoying this series. I hope a lot of people who haven’t read it yet try it for themselves!
Margaret M. says
I started this series out of order. I needed another Halloween book and found THE LEGEND OF SLEEPY HARLOW. And I thought, I loved the title, the plot sounded interesting, so why not. And besides I live only a short drive north of Sleepy Hollow and Tarrytown; how could I resist a book that pays homage to my beloved Horseman (yes I have always rooted for the Horseman.) Well, I fell in love. I went back and picked up the first two and blew thru them. It really is a fun and clever series, with plenty of “laugh-out-loud” moments. And how can you resist the titles, the next one, AND THEN THERE WERE NUNS, I mean come on!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Margaret M, you must absolutely love your four seasons! Lucky you! (Although all o your beautiful winter wonderland weather may get a little old for you…
That’s exactly how I started reading Kathy Hogan Trocheck’s Callahan Garrity series. A friend sent me Strange Brew, which is a Halloween themed mystery, and I read it during that holiday. Unfortunately it is the 6th in the series, and I try not to read series out of order. However, since the holiday was right there, I had the very same “why not” feeling. I enjoyed it so much I went back and started the series at the beginning, and I now consider that series one of my very favorites. So much so >>> that I wish Trocheck had continued with that series, although I know she (Mary Kay Andrews) is doing really well with her non-mystery fiction now.
Margaret StashEmpress says
ANNNNNDDDDDDD picked up And Then There Were Nuns from the library hold shelf today! YESSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!! (Ok, I’m easily amused, I probably need to get a life… ;-))
KG says
I am so glad you recommended this book and series! I downloaded it late last night from the library and read half the book. I kept telling myself I would read just one more chapter and then that turned into more. I have a few things I must accomplish today before I pick up the book and then I will cuddle with my yorkie under a warm afghan (it is cool today) and a cup of hot tea. I love it when a book absorbs me like a sponge.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
KG, I’m not crazy about the “a few things I must accomplish” but I sure like the sound of the later part of your day! Sounds like you’re going to finish this book in no time… if you haven’t already!