by Barb, just back from a lovely week in Virginia, visiting family, touristing in Williamsburg, and seeing Sherry Harris!
At long last, I am excited to announce the release of Maine Clambake Mystery #10!
Release Date: June 28, 2022. Yes it’s a long wait, sixteen months from the last one. I’m not sure about the timing. I think there were some covid-related delays in contracting and signing. And, Kensington may have wanted to move publication away from the wide release of Jane Darrowfield and the Madwoman Next Door on December 28, 2021. I’m happy to have a release date in the summer, which I think suits the series better than the late December date the Clambake books had for many years. I’m thinking, if this ^&*# virus is mostly behind us, maybe even some personal appearances to celebrate the release, which were never possible in the crazy time between Christmas and New Year’s.
Title: The title of the book is Muddled Through. My editor was initially skeptical about it and I understand why. It doesn’t scream cozy or food. And I can see some hot-take reviews. “I muddled through this miserable mess of a manuscript.” BUT I love this title because the book a) takes place during mud season (roughly mid-March to the end of April in Maine), b) is about pottery and local Maine clay, and 3) “muddling through” accurately describes Julia’s emotional state during the period this book covers.
The winner of the title suggestion contest in my newsletter is Lorna Doran. Lorna will be included in the acknowledgements and will receive an Advance Reader Copy as soon as I get them. (I am thinking around March-ish.) Thank you to everyone for your suggestions! There were some excellent ones that may yet get used later in the series.
Cover: Here you go.
It’s different right? No food for one thing. (Never fear, there are recipes in the book.) Weirdly, it’s exactly what I asked for and not at all what I expected. (Though maybe that’s not weird. It happens a lot.) As per usual, I sent a long a link to a Pinterest board to my editor during our cover discussions. Check it out to compare.
Here’s the blurb
Mud season takes on a whole new meaning in the coastal town of Busman’s Harbor, Maine, when local business owners sling dirt at one another in a heated feud over a proposed pedestrian mall. Vandalism is one thing, but murder means Julia Snowden of the Snowden Family Clambake steps in to clean up the case . . .
When Julia spots police cars in front of Lupine Design, she races over. Her sister Livvie works there as a potter. Livvie is unharmed but surrounded by smashed up pottery. The police find the owner Zoey Butterfield digging clay by a nearby bay, but she has no idea who would target her store. Zoey is a vocal advocate for turning four blocks of Main Street into a pedestrian mall on summer weekends. Other shop owners, including her next-door neighbor, are vehemently opposed. Could a small-town fight provoke such destruction? When a murder follows the break-in, it’s up to Julia to dig through the secrets and lies to uncover the truth . . .
Where to pre-order
Don’t miss out on Muddled Through. For some reason, Amazon has been super-slow getting the mass max paperback up along with the cover image, but the Kindle pre-order link is there. And the book is available from most other retailers.
Readers: What do you think? Cover? Title? Release date? Let me know in the comments.
I love this cover and I can’t wait to read it. I think the release date is more aligned with the season.
I agree, Dur. And more aligned with the series in genera;.
Yes, the cover is quite different but I like it. It reminds me of the times I went antiquing in Maine with my friends along Rt 1. I can’t wait to read this but I need to catch up on the series first. Great excuse to read this wonderful series. It also brings back some lovely memories of my many trips there.
So lovely that it reminds you of trips to Maine. I have been known to go antiquing on Route 1 myself.
The cover and blurb are great, Barb! Congratulations. The wait will only build excitement for the actual release.
But, I have to say, lupines do not bloom in March, especially not in Maine…. Sorry!
I’m not sure about excitement, but I am happy to be able to make this announcement.
Barb, love the cover of the new book and the blurb surely makes you want to buy it. I’m definitely hoping you get to do some in-person signings, even if none of them are within driving distance for me personally.
Oh, and the notion of the title not necessarily being food cozy title dependent, I like the idea of things being changed up a little.
I like the idea of changing it up, too. Ten is a lot of books.
Love the cover! As they say all good things are worth the wait. It’s just hard on our readers who are so anxious to read it.
Facebook is getting even crazier. As I went to Facebook to like and share the post, because Covid is mentioned in the article, I had approve going forward to post it. NUTS!
2clowns at arkansas dot net
Oh my goodness, I had no idea!
Great cover! I noticed for a lot of books (including my August release) that Amazon never got the print pre-order up.
Here’s hoping another year and warm weather bring opportunities for in-person events come launch day.
Goodness! I hope it does go up soon. I’m going to give it a little longer and then poke Kensington, thought they will probably tell me Amazon does what Amazone does.
I’m lucky since I got to read a very early version and know how absolutely wonderful it is! There will be no muddling reviews!
Thank you, Sherry!
So excited there’s more to come – I read the whole series during covid! Love the pottery blues and lupines in the new cover, has a Maine beachy vibe.
I am so glad you think it’s Maine and beachy, Anita.
Love the cover! Can’t wait to read it!
Thank you, Kitty.
So excited to read this next installment!!!
I hope you love it, Kimberly.
So excited for this new book! Seagulls fit in perfectly with the coastal theme – reminds me of the Seagull Restaurant at Pemaquud – and I think the title works well with the story!
I love Pemaquid. I’m so glad the cover reminds you of it.
Can hardly wait, just finished Scared Off last night. A great fix for my addiction until next year. I can hardly wait to “see” what my friends are up to in the next adventure. Thanks Barb for the enjoyment you provide your readers.
You are so welcome! I’m so glad you enjoyed “Scared Off.”
Such a beautiful cover! Congratulations, Barb! I’m sure nobody’s going to muddle through this book – it will be terrific like all the rest.
Thank you, Shari. I’m so glad you like the cover.
I love the title and the release date for this book! Summer and Maine are a perfect match! Congrats!
You would know, Jessie! Thank you.
The cover is gorgeous! I love the lupines – they are my favorite spring flower. So glad for the June release date. It seems the perfect time for the series.
I love lupines, too. They were a lot of fun to write about.
I can’t wait! I have now finished reading all your books and am looking forward to the new Jane Darrowfield book and was very curious about #10 with Julia. Heck! Jamie wasn’t in the last one and she has broken up with Chris! That’s a long time to see her open new chapters in her life! Congratulations. It sounds like a winner!
I am so glad you’re looking forward to it!
I love the title and the cover. Can’t wait to read it!
I can’t wait for you to read it!
I love the cover, the title and I love the sound of it! Thank you for sharing about it! Looking forward to the release day!
I hope you like ti!
The cover is Gorgeous. And the title immediately made me think of muddled drinks, food-adjacent at least. (Cucumber-Mint Gimlet anyone?) I’m looking forward to finding out if Julia clears up her muddled mind !
Muddled drinks! Why didn’t I think of that?
I believe Miss Rumphius would approve of the cover…I certainly like it!
She may have even inspired a part of the story.
I’m so excited that there IS a #10. I love this series and am always wishing there were more. The cover certainly screams Maine coast to me.
I’m so glad the cover screams Maine to you.
I love the cover and the name is a good one. It fits her always muddling through her mysteries. Too long to wait though. to read it.
I know. It is a long wait.
I love cozy mysteries. The cover is fabulous. Thank you so much for sharing.
I’ so glad you like the cover.
Love the title and the cover! Can’t wait to read it!
Looking forward to it.
I love the cover, and can’t wait to read it! Congratulations, Barb. #10!!!
Have these books been recorded on CDs? I love to listen to a novel as I drive. This would be a new series for me and I want to start with book #1. I am just finishing the Louise Penny series which I have enjoyed immensely!