Gull Island Calamity

The sharks are out in full force, but it's the people who are causing more blood in the water in the beach town of Bayview.Melody is ready for a beach vacation, unaware of the danger ahead of her. She's on her way to stay in her employer's beach home for a long weekend in the charming seaside town of Bayview.No guys. No drama. No work deadlines.Sailboat rides to Gull Island. Reading on the beach. Late, long dinners around the fire pit. Sounds like bliss.But the mysteries start as soon as Melody pulls into the driveway of Sandy Shores Lane. First, she makes a discovery on the beach that sets the weekend on edge. Then she finds out an ominous cloud hangs over Bayview as a serial killer appears to be picking off influential women one by one.Olivia, the inquisitive reporter from the East Coast, discovers Melody's sleuthing abilities and persuades Melody to help her solve the case…before someone else gets hurt.Finding out who the murderer is (and their motive) takes Melody all over the small coastal town, meeting several residents including Seaside Sam, the cranky but helpful seaman, Scotty, the attractive Italian restaurant owner and surfer who takes a liking to Melody plus a gaggle of real estate agents who are up to a lot more than selling beachside real estate.Even though it isn't the calm, relaxing beach trip Melody planned for, she's in her element, tracking down criminals and figuring out the motive for the lethal crimes. Jillian and Savannah come down to visit and soon the Friday Friends Dinner Club are back together in full force, solving mysteries as they cook, eat and chase criminals together. Is there anything better than a dangerous mystery book along with something tasty to eat?My mom collected the Nancy Drew books when she was a girl. In my childhood home, she lined them all up on two shelves of the floor-to-ceiling oak bookcases. When I passed a milestone- good grades on my report card, did extra chores, was nice to my little brothers- my mom let me read the next mystery.As I read through the Nancy Drew series, I searched for other mysteries, especially during the triple digit days of summer in Northern California. The Boxcar Children, the Babysitter's club, the Mandie mystery series, the Hardy Boys and the Adventures of the Bobbsey Twins filled the hours of summer.As I got older, I dived into the classics of Agatha Christie, then Mary Higgins Clark and many other intriguing mystery books. I imagined what mysteries might lie right in my own little world. As stories came to me, I began to write them down, bringing the characters in my head into life.Along with reading mysteries, cooking and baking is near and dear to my heart. Gathering people and feeding them is such fun. Food is a wonderful way to get to know people.I've gotten to know so many wonderful people and had many rich conversations over a good (or not so good!) meal as well as solved a personal mystery or two.If you'd like to know more about the other books, get the recipes from the books (along with other goodies I come up with throughout the year), go to www.poppymhaas.comYou can also find me on Facebook @poppymhaas