It’s been another rough flare week, and I couldn’t think of any better way to entertain myself through the struggle than curling up with my Kindle and binge-reading a good whodunit. I always love locally centered series, and my favorite amateur sleuth series set in my beautiful home state of Maryland is Judy L. Murray’s Chesapeake Bay Mystery series. Previously I’ve reviewed the first two books, Murder in the Master and Killer in the Kitchen, and I’d recommend reading those first for the full context. Today I’ll be reviewing the third installment of the series, Peril in the Pool House.

Helen Morrisey is a realtor and widow who has gained a reputation for finding herself involved in local murder mysteries. A lifelong fan of amateur sleuth books, she imagines consulting a team of famous fictional detectives to help her solve the crimes she stumbles into. Balancing her habit of cracking the case with her budding romance with Detective Joe McAllister, she always seems to be the one who uncovers the identity of the real killer in the end.

In this addition to her story, Helen has been working for local politician Eliot and his wife Alison, who have just purchased an old (and supposedly haunted) property that belonged to Eliot’s grandfather decades ago. The couple plans to open it as a B&B while Eliot runs his latest campaign. But at the grand opening party, Alison discovers the body of one of Eliot’s employees lying lifeless in the pool house.

Adding to the mystery, Eliot’s own grandfather was the prime suspect in a local cold case – his business partner mysteriously vanished back in the 1960s. Is cold-blooded killing in his DNA, or is he being framed?

Helen, as always, gets involved with the case and quickly realizes that this one may be the hardest to solve yet. With so many possible suspects, she finds herself in over her head searching for answers. Can she trust Eliot? And can she prove his innocence?

Murray’s books are always cozy, detailed, exciting, and entertaining, set along the beautiful Chesapeake Bay that Maryland is known for. Locals and visitors alike would enjoy reading through her work, whether from their living room or from the deck of a sailboat.

I’m already excited to pick up the next book. I 100% recommend this one – but again, make sure you read the previous two first if you haven’t yet! If you’ve been looking for a great mystery series set against a picturesque backdrop with a whole community of characters you’ll grow to love, the Chesapeake Bay Mystery series is for you!