Whenever I’m in the mood for a quick, cozy mystery with a local East Coast flair, Maryellen Winkler’s Emily Menotti series never disappoints. I haven’t been reading them in order, but each one stands alone and makes perfect sense without prior installments. Every book I’ve picked up has been worth the time, and Death in Rehoboth Beach – my most recent and favorite read in the series – was no exception.

Previously, I’ve reviewed [Murder on the Brandywine] and [A Killing in Kennett Square]. This latest addition, set in Rehoboth, Delaware, felt especially close to home. I grew up spending my summers in Ocean City, Maryland, often wandering up to the Delaware beaches. That made it easy to relate to the characters’ experiences with local favorites like Grotto’s Pizza, Thrasher’s Fries, drinks at Seacrets, and – most dear to my Maryland-native heart – cracking open blue crabs (the right way). Anyone familiar with the Delmarva beaches will have fun imagining this mystery unfolding in such a beloved setting. Honestly, I almost wish I had saved it for my next weekend beach trip.

One of the things I love most about this series (especially in this installment) is the subtle paranormal touch Winkler weaves into her mysteries. I read plenty of traditional whodunits, but the ghostly elements she incorporates add an extra layer of intrigue and atmosphere, making for an especially fun late-night read on my Kindle.

In Death in Rehoboth Beach, Emily, her boyfriend, her supernaturally gifted best friend Melinda, and Melinda’s boyfriend rent a house for the week, right next door to a locally famous (and possibly infamous) family consisting of four surviving adult siblings and their elderly father. On their first night, a scream rings out from the neighbors’ home.

Soon, a suspicious death is under investigation. As usual, it falls to Emily and Melinda to unravel the truth: was it natural causes, or something far more sinister?

If you grew up loving classic sleuth series like Nancy Drew and The Hardy Boys, you’ll likely enjoy Maryellen Winkler’s work, especially if you’re from the East Coast. Her books are available on Amazon and Kindle, but if you’re lucky, you might even get to meet her in person. I bought my first two directly from her at a North East Library event this spring, and I was thrilled to see Death in Rehoboth Beach available on Kindle Unlimited. It also happened to be the first book I read on my brand-new Kindle (a gift from my mom), and it was the perfect story to christen it with.

If you’re looking for a late-summer cozy mystery to take along on your last beach trip of the year, don’t wait – grab a copy of Death in Rehoboth Beach!