Murder on Mustang Beach

Bessette’s delightful sequel to 2022’s Smile Beach Murder finds journalist-turned-bookseller Callie Paget looking forward to her first official date with Toby, owner of a martial arts studio on North Carolina’s Cattail Island. When she and Toby find a dead newlywed lying on a mat in his dojo, police name Toby the lead suspect, and Callie embarks on a parallel investigation of her own that, in addition to turning up new leads in the murder, drives her to believe that a cherished local mare may be in serious trouble. Then, when another body is found dead on the beach, the rush is on to find the true culprit and clear Toby’s name. Bessette’s fast-paced cozy harbors quirky characters and an intriguing plot that will keep readers guessing until the end. Fans will continue to connect with Callie and find plenty to enjoy in this brisk whodunit. Agent: Adam Chromy, Movable Type Management. (May)