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Reviewed by Liz Konkel for Readers' Favorite
Murder in Myrtle Bay by Isobel Blackthorn is the first book in the Ruth Finlay Mystery series. Ruth and her neighbor Doris’s ordinary trip to the market for antiques takes a quick turn when they discover a body. All Doris wanted was a lid; instead, the two find themselves in the middle of a mystery. Ruth thought she knew everything about her former tennis coach until she uncovers a long list of suspects who have a reason to want him dead. Several have held on to grudges and would have jumped at the opportunity to get revenge, but could one of them have killed him? The investigation leads Ruth and Doris to dig up surprising family revelations and lies that slowly unravel, leading them toward a killer that could strike again.
Isobel Blackthorn sets a steady pace for the mystery to unfold and suspects to come to light, and ensures that every clue discovered is done in a fun way. You also get a genuine sense of Ruth’s energetic personality and the dynamic she has with her neighbor. These two aspects are what pull you in and make you want to keep reading. Ruth's personality gives the mystery a nice flow and pairs well with Doris. The two neighbors have a playful dynamic that drives the sleuthing elements and supplies the plot with a lovely amount of friendship. The relationship between Ruth and her dad brings a softness to her character and adds depth to the story. Her dad is an interesting character, as it's through Ruth’s perspective that you get to know him, which allows you to see his strengths and flaws. The setting is stunning, with Blackthorn capturing details of visuals that easily sweep you away in the beauty. The suspects who have a strong motive to want the victim dead provide tension, drama, and twists that keep Ruth and Doris guessing. Blackthorn successfully creates an engaging, humorous, and charming mystery with Murder in Myrtle Bay. You will have fun reading, and it makes you want to see what trouble Ruth will find next.
