Welcome to my stop on the Great Escapes Virtual Book Tour for Murder Most Eastern (Great Maine Mysteries) by Nellie H. Steele! Today we are featuring a review of the first book in this cozy mystery series. Fans of Ellery Adams and Carolyn Hart will love this twisty, atmospheric paranormal cozy mystery full of seaside charm, ghostly intrigue, and a heroine who refuses to back down—no matter how haunted her past may be. Stop by each blog on the tour for interviews, guest posts, spotlights, reviews, and more! There is also a giveaway for eBook copies of Murder Most Eastern, Murder Most Scenic, Murder Most Quiet, and Murder Most Wild (the first four books in the Great Maine Mysteries series). ENTER HERE! ⬅️ 

Murder Most Eastern (Great Maine Mysteries)
Cozy Mystery
1st in Series
Setting – Maine
Publisher ‏ : ‎ A Novel Idea Publishing, LLC
Publication date ‏ : ‎ August 28, 2025
Print length ‏ : ‎ 210 pages
Digital ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0DW98ZFDN

About the Book:

A seaside Victorian. A skeptical artist. A cat with secrets. And a murder that won’t stay buried…

When struggling artist Emily Harper inherits a charming but creaky Victorian on the rugged coast of Maine, she expects a fresh start—what she doesn’t expect is cryptic notes, eerie visions, and a cat with an uncanny sense for trouble.

But nothing unsettles her more than the bracelet. A striking piece of tourmaline jewelry left behind in the house, it sends shivers up her spine whenever she wears it. At first, she chalks it up to stress—until she visits West Quoddy Head Lighthouse and is struck by a chilling vision of a man begging for his life. The next day, his body is found.

With a storm brewing, long-buried secrets rising to the surface, and a killer who will do anything to keep the past hidden, Emily must embrace the unexplainable—or risk becoming the next victim.

My Review:

The back to school season is wearing me out and we are trying hard to settle back into a routine! I was worried that I was too close to my review deadline when I started this book, but fear not! I flew through this delightful mystery in one day (just two sittings) and am looking forward to reading more. 

There is so much to like here! I do love a starting over story and that’s just what our main character Emily is doing. Yes, it’s under sad circumstances – her sister has passed away unexpectedly and left Emily her old house in Maine. Thanks to the descriptive writing I could easily imagine both the outside and inside of the house. I felt like I could reach through the pages and stroke Grayson’s beautiful fur. And what a smart cat – I would follow that cat anywhere! 

The mystery is fast-paced and the coast of Maine gives it a spooky feel that kept me turning the pages. I had a slight guess as to the true culprit, but was very much engaged in the journey. The ending was excellent as it wrapped up the immediate mystery, but left me anxious to read  more to see what else Emily uncovers. 

This was a page-turning five star mystery! 

 About the Author:

Nellie H. Steele is a storyteller who doesn’t just write books—she writes the stories her characters tell her. With distinct voices and minds of their own, her characters often take over, guiding her through tales of romance, mystery, adventure, and suspense.

A lifelong bookworm, Nellie vividly recalls sitting on the concrete floor of her childhood library, eagerly devouring Nancy Drew books and dreaming of solving mysteries of her own. Now an award-winning author, she spends her days crafting immersive worlds and unforgettable characters that feel like old friends. Her house is a zoo—literally—thanks to her rescue animals who seem perfectly happy napping while she writes.

Nellie’s writing process often involves background TV she never actually watches because she’s too wrapped up in her characters’ antics. When she’s not spinning stories, she works as a professor of statistics, where students who know her as an author are often surprised to find she really does teach math.

If you love twisty mysteries, soap-opera-style romance, and thrilling adventures, dive into Nellie’s books today and discover worlds you won’t want to leave. Connect with Nellie on Facebook at @NellieHSteele—she loves chatting with readers about characters, stories, and more!

Website
Facebook
Instagram
Goodreads

Purchase Link: Amazon 

TOUR PARTICIPANTS:

• August 28 – Books, Ramblings, and Tea – SPOTLIGHT
• August 28 – Jody’s Bookish Haven – SPOTLIGHT
• August 28 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
• August 29 – Hall Ways Blog – SPOTLIGHT
• August 29 – Salty Inspirations – AUTHOR GUEST POST
• August 30 – Socrates Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
• August 30 – Sarandipity’s – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
• August 31 – Sarah Can’t Stop Reading Books – REVIEW
• August 31 – Cozy Up With Kathy – REVIEW, CHARACTER GUEST POST
• September 1 – StoreyBook Reviews – AUTHOR GUEST POST
• September 1 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT
• September 2 – Sneaky the Library Cat’s Blog – CHARACTER INTERVIEW
• September 2 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – REVIEW
• September 3 – Baroness Book Trove – REVIEW  
• September 3 – Ascroft, eh? – CHARACTER GUEST POST
• September 4 – The Avid Reader – REVIEW
• September 4 – Novels Alive – REVIEW
• September 5 – View from the Birdhouse – REVIEW
• September 5 – Boys’ Mom Reads! – REVIEW
• September 6 – Elizabeth McKenna – Author – SPOTLIGHT
• September 6 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – SPOTLIGHT

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