Murder on the Half Shell

Movie caterer Penelope Sutherland is drawn into a mystery with a tropical twist. "A nice island flavor, a nice puzzling mystery . . . A very enjoyable read" (Dru's Book Musings).

Filming a movie on a sunny Florida beach may seem like working in paradise, but dealing with the brutal heat, a difficult director, and a leading lady with a serious aversion to seafood makes for a challenging task for Penelope Sutherland and her Red Carpet Catering crew. After two girls go missing during a raucous beach party thrown by the movie's director, the cast and crew fall out of favor with the Andrea Island locals.

When a flashy celebrity chef is accused of the crime, Penelope Sutherland steps in to help her former culinary school instructor find the truth. Surrounded by suspicious locals with a history all their own, Penelope uncovers clues from the past that reveal an undercurrent of evil amid the magnificent sandy beaches.

"Once in a while an author will come along who has a fresh voice; one who can take a tired genre and make it seem new again. Such is Ms. Simmons . . . Quite unique, and quite refreshing." —Any Good Book

"Penelope herself proves to be a skilled professional caterer, but her being drawn into the investigation feels entirely realistic . . . [A] compelling and thoroughly engaging read." —Kings River Life Magazine

"A fast-paced cozy easily read and enjoyed in an afternoon . . . with Simmons' picturesque writing style you can almost taste the salt in the air." —The Reading Room